Camellia sasanqua 'October Magic Orchid'

Species

Camellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

38 other cultivars

shrub

October Magic Orchid Camellia

Camellia sasanqua 'October Magic Orchid'

The Story

Plant Bio

Camellia sasanqua is a dense evergreen Asian shrub featuring glossy, dark green leathery foliage with finely serrated leaf margins. Unlike spring-blooming camellias, this species produces blooms from fall into early winter, bearing flowers with prominent golden stamens.

'October Magic Orchid' grows as a compact, upright-conical to rounded shrub reaching four to six feet tall with dark glossy green leaves. It produces small semi-double blooms that open white to pale blush with prominent deep orchid-pink shading along the edges.

Uses & Benefits:

Offers glossy evergreen foliage and semi-double blush-pink blooms during late fall and winter.

Functions as a dense, manageable evergreen hedge or structure plant in acidic soils.

Provides fall nectar and pollen for foraging bees and generalist insect pollinators.

SpeciesCamellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

71"

Width

59"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Japan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Fall – Winter

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting spot with morning sun and protection from harsh late afternoon heat.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and blend organic matter into the backfill.
Set the plant so the top of the root crown rests slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Water thoroughly to settle air pockets and cover with a 2-inch layer of pine bark mulch.

Pro Tip

Prune strictly right after winter flowering finishes, as late-season pruning cuts off the developing buds for the next fall.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Maintain a steady layer of organic mulch to keep root zones cool and moist.
Provide consistent moisture, especially while flower buds are setting in summer.
Apply an acid-formulated plant fertilizer once in late spring.

Don't

Do not plant in poorly drained heavy clay soils prone to standing water.
Do not prune hard into old leafless wood or late in the summer season.
Do not allow soil moisture to fluctuate drastically during bloom development.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Low evergreen hedge or screenFoundation plantingMixed border accentContainer specimen

Companion Plants

Illicium floridanum Heuchera Acer palmatum Rhododendron

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

October Magic Orchid Camellia questions

What zones can October Magic Orchid Camellia grow in?

October Magic Orchid 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 October Magic Orchid Camellia deer resistant?

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

When does October Magic Orchid Camellia bloom?

October Magic Orchid 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 October Magic Orchid Camellia need full sun?

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

Is October Magic Orchid Camellia drought tolerant?

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