Camellia sasanqua 'October Magic Devotion'

Species

Camellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

38 other cultivars

shrub

Sasanqua Camellia

Camellia sasanqua 'October Magic Devotion'

The Story

Plant Bio

Camellia sasanqua is an evergreen Asian shrub featuring dense dark green foliage and fall blossoms that open when most woody landscape plants are entering dormancy. Unlike Camellia japonica, it tolerates brighter light exposures and maintains a finer foliage texture with smaller leaves.

'October Magic Devotion' forms a compact, upright, pyramidal habit reaching up to six feet tall with vibrant pink single to semi-double flowers. Its fresh spring growth emerges burgundy-red before maturing to deep green.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense upright habit with burgundy spring foliage and rich pink fall blooms.

Functions well as a low-maintenance formal hedge or foundation planting.

Provides late-season nectar for bees and cover for overwintering beneficial insects.

SpeciesCamellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

72"

Width

48"

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Fall

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with partial sun or filtered morning light and protection from harsh afternoon heat.
Amend heavy or alkaline soil with organic matter to establish an acidic pH between 4.5 and 6.5.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant slightly high to ensure water drains away from the crown.
Backfill with soil, water thoroughly, and apply a two-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone.

Pro Tip

Prune lightly right after fall flowering finishes; cutting back into old leafless wood prevents latent bud development and stalls regrowth.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep soil consistently moist but free of standing water.
Apply an acid-formulated fertilizer in early spring.
Maintain a thick layer of mulch to insulate shallow feeder roots.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old wood without leaves.
Do not plant in alkaline or waterlogged soils.
Avoid overhead irrigation that wet foliage and flowers.

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

Foundation PlantingPrivacy ScreenHedgeSpecimen/Focal PointUnderstory

Companion Plants

Rhododendron Acer palmatum Pieris japonica Heuchera 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 fall. 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 part shade.