Sasanqua Camellias: Early-Blooming Elegance for Fall and Winter Gardens

The First Camellias to Bloom

Sasanqua camellias kick off the camellia season, with the earliest varieties flowering in September and most in full bloom by November. Their diverse growth habits—from spreading and vine-like to upright and bushy—and 2- to 2½-inch flowers make them versatile landscape plants.

Top Picks by Use

Mounding Ground Covers (2–4 ft tall, 3 ft spread)

• 'Shishi-Gashira' – Rose-red double flowers.
• 'Showa-No-Sakae' – Soft pink semi-double to peony form.

Both sold as C. sasanqua though reclassified as C. hiemalis. Ideal below windows, in borders, or as low, unclipped hedges.

Espaliers (Compact, Upright)

• 'Setsugekka' – White semi-double.
• 'Yuletide' – Orange-red single.

Train against walls or trellises; prune to direct growth.

Lacy Hedges (Upright, Shrubby)

Prune to maintain 3–4 ft thickness. Excellent choices:

• Singles: 'Cleopatra' (rose pink), 'Hana Jiman' (white edged pink), 'Hugh Evans' (pink).
• Semi-double: 'Kanjiro' (rose red).

Sasanquas bring refined beauty to the garden when little else is in bloom.