Camellia sasanqua 'October Magic Inspiration'

Species

Camellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

38 other cultivars

shrub

Sasanqua Camellia

Camellia sasanqua 'October Magic Inspiration'

The Story

Plant Bio

Camellia sasanqua is an evergreen shrub native to Japan, valued for its glossy foliage and late-season bloom period. Unlike its spring-flowering relatives, it tolerates brighter sunlight and features lighter, fine-textured branching.

'October Magic Inspiration' produces fully double, peony-form white flowers edged with a pencil-thin margin of magenta-pink from mid-fall into early winter. Emerging spring growth carries a reddish-maroon flush before maturing to dark green on an upright, compact frame.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides double white blossoms with magenta rims during late fall when few other shrubs flower.

Dense evergreen habit makes it suitable for formal screens and structural hedges.

Offers autumn nectar and pollen resources for late-season bees and beneficial insects.

SpeciesCamellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

96"

Width

60"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Fall – Early winter

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site receiving full morning sun with light afternoon shade and well-draining acidic soil.
Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal to its depth.
Set the plant into the hole so the top of the root flare sits one inch above the finished soil grade.
Backfill with native soil enriched with organic matter, tamp down lightly, and water deeply to settle air pockets.

Pro Tip

Plant with the top of the root ball elevated slightly above surrounding soil level, as burying the root flare in heavy or wet ground induces Phytophthora root decay.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Maintain a two-inch layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the direct stem.
Provide regular watering during prolonged dry summer periods to support autumn bud formation.
Prune immediately after flowering finishes in late winter before new spring growth flushes.

Don't

Do not shear branches during summer or early fall, which removes developing flower buds.
Do not cut back into old, bare, leafless wood, as regrowth from old stems is poor.
Do not allow the soil to remain waterlogged or set plants in heavy, unamended clay.

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

Evergreen privacy hedgeFoundation plantingMixed border accentLarge container specimen

Companion Plants

Acer palmatum Heuchera Rhododendron Hosta

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 early 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.