Species

Camellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

38 other cultivars

shrub

Sasanqua Camellia

Camellia sasanqua 'October Magic Dawn'

$18.99

The Story

Plant Bio

Camellia sasanqua is an evergreen shrub native to the lowland forests and scrub of southern Japan and China, growing three to five feet tall in cultivation with small, leathery, dark green leaves. It sets flower buds on current season growth and produces blossoms from autumn through early winter before freezing temperatures occur.

'October Magic Dawn' is a compact, upright cultivar that bears large, rose-form to semi-double flowers in soft porcelain pink to rose-pink. Its small, glossy leaves emerge with light green tones before turning deep green, maintaining a dense habit suitable for low hedging or accent planting.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides porcelain-pink blooms late in the season when most garden shrubs are dormant.

Functions as a dense, evergreen low screen or border structure in acidic soils.

Offers autumn and early winter nectar for foraging bees and generalist insect pollinators.

SpeciesCamellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

60"

Width

60"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Japan, China

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Fall – Winter

In flower about 6 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Plants By Mail

1+ Gal Pot

In Stock$18.99

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site in full sun to partial shade with acidic, organic-rich soil that drains freely.
Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal to its depth.
Place the plant in the hole so the root flare sits roughly one inch above the surrounding grade.
Backfill with native soil amended with organic matter, firm lightly, and water thoroughly.
Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of pine bark mulch over the root zone, keeping it two inches away from the trunk.

Pro Tip

Set the top of the root ball slightly above the surrounding soil level to prevent stem rot, and never cut back into old leafless wood as dormant buds will not regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep soil consistently moist but free of standing water.
Maintain an acidic soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Prune immediately after winter flowering concludes.

Don't

Do not plant the stem flare below soil level.
Do not cut back into bare, old inner wood.
Do not allow soil to dry out completely during summer bud development.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Low informal hedgeFoundation plantingCourtyard accentContainer plant

Companion Plants

Rhododendron Pieris japonica Heuchera Acer palmatum

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Sasanqua Camellia questions

What zones can Sasanqua Camellia grow in?

Sasanqua Camellia is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Sasanqua Camellia deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Sasanqua Camellia, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Sasanqua Camellia bloom?

Sasanqua Camellia typically blooms in fall through winter. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Sasanqua Camellia need full sun?

Sasanqua Camellia does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Sasanqua Camellia drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Sasanqua Camellia handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.