Species

Camellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

25 other cultivars

shrub

Jennifer Susan Camellia, Sasanqua Camellia 'Jennifer Susan'

Camellia sasanqua 'Jennifer Susan'

The Story

Plant Bio

Camellia sasanqua is an upright, evergreen shrub native to the forests and woodlands of Japan and China, characterised by dense branching and small, glossy, dark green leaves. Unlike Camellia japonica, this species tolerates higher levels of direct sun and produces its main floral display from autumn into winter.

'Jennifer Susan' is a vigorous cultivar distinguished by its soft pale pink, informal double peony-form flowers with wavy petals and prominent golden stamens. The foliage is finer and denser than the species type, with new growth occasionally flushing with bronze tones.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces soft pink peony-form flowers from autumn through winter, providing vibrant colour when most other garden plants are dormant.

Forms a dense, glossy evergreen hedge or privacy screen that tolerates pruning and moderate coastal conditions.

Provides a vital source of nectar and pollen for native bees, beneficial insects, and nectar-feeding birds during the cooler months.

SpeciesCamellia sasanquaSasanqua Camellia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

118 inches

Width

78 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Japan and China (parent species)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Autumn – Winter

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the root crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level to prevent stem rot.
Backfill with soil mixed with organic matter, firm gently, and water deeply to settle the roots.
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it clear of the main stem to maintain cool, moist conditions.

Pro Tip

Never prune hard into old, leafless brown wood, as camellias lack latent buds in mature stems and will fail to reshoot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water deeply and regularly during extended dry periods to prevent bud drop and leaf scorch.
Apply a specialized acid-loving slow-release fertiliser in early spring and immediately after flowering.
Prune lightly immediately after the winter flowering season to maintain a dense, bushy shape.

Don't

Do not plant the root crown below the soil surface, as this triggers fatal stem rot.
Do not allow the plant to sit in waterlogged or poorly drained soil.
Do not use general high-nitrogen lawn fertilisers that can raise soil pH and burn shallow roots.

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

HedgeScreeningFeature ShrubEspalierContainer Specimen

Companion Plants

Azalea Pieris japonica Helleborus Liriope

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Jennifer Susan Camellia, Sasanqua Camellia 'Jennifer Susan' questions

What zones can Jennifer Susan Camellia, Sasanqua Camellia 'Jennifer Susan' grow in?

Jennifer Susan Camellia, Sasanqua Camellia 'Jennifer Susan' is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Jennifer Susan Camellia, Sasanqua Camellia 'Jennifer Susan' bloom?

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

Does Jennifer Susan Camellia, Sasanqua Camellia 'Jennifer Susan' need full sun?

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

Is Jennifer Susan Camellia, Sasanqua Camellia 'Jennifer Susan' drought tolerant?

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