What Is The Difference Between A Camellia And A Sasanqua?

What Is The Difference Between A Camellia And A Sasanqua?

In the Southeast, camellias and sasanquas are two of the most popular flowering evergreens. So, what is the distinction, and are they related? They are, indeed, linked.

Camellia japonica, often known as Camellia, and Camellia Sasanqua, sometimes known as Sasanqua, are both members of the Camellia genus but of distinct species. Camellia is a steady upright grower with medium to big blooms that bloom from late winter to early spring.

Sasanqua can be either upright or spreading growers with a medium pace of growth and bloom from fall to mid-winter, depending on the variety.

Sasanqua flowers are significantly smaller than Camellia blooms, but the bloom count is much more.

The leaves of Camellias are noticeably bigger than those of Sasanqua. Another distinction between the two is the need for sun/shade.

Camellias thrive in shade to part sun, with early sun preferable to afternoon sun. Sasanquas will grow from the sun to shade, although they thrive in direct sunlight.

What Is The Difference Between Camellia Japonica And Camellia Sasanqua?

While Japanese camellias (Camellia japonica) and sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua) are remarkably similar, the key difference between the two species is their bloom time. Depending on the variety, Japanese camellias can bloom from fall through spring.

Camellia Japonica and Camellia Sasanquas are both Camellias, although they have distinct characteristics.

Most people associate Camellias with enormous flowers that bloom in the winter and early spring, but Sasanquas have tiny flowers that bloom in the fall.

Camellia sasanqua blooms range in size from 1 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter. C. japonica grows somewhat bigger, up to 5 inches in diameter.

Both types of flowers come in a range of colours.

The leaves of C. japonica are also bigger than those of C. sasanqua, reaching up to 4 inches in length compared to roughly 1 inch for C. sasanqua. Both have dark green and glossy foliage.

Camellia japonica outgrows C. sasanqua in height. It can grow up to 25 feet tall but is usually closer to 12 feet tall with a 6- to 10-foot spread.

How Big Does Camellia Sasanqua Grow?

Camellia sasanqua is a densely branching evergreen shrub native to Japan that matures to 6 to 10 feet tall and broad.

This is a considerably smaller plant than the japonica, which may grow as a 15 to 25-foot-tall tree.

There is also a dwarf sasanqua, which grows to be 2 to 5 feet tall and broad. As a result, these camellias are considerably more suited for use as foundation plants.

They are also resistant to scaling, making them a low-maintenance alternative to their finicky cousins.

They are the first to blossom. Sasanquas can bloom anytime, from late summer through fall and into winter, depending on the variety.

Most I’ve seen bloom in the late fall and continue into December when the japonicas take over.

Flowers are often solitary, semi-double, or double, with a center burst of brilliant yellow stamens. The blooms range in hue from cherry-red to rose to shell pink to a pale white.

Plant Sasanqua camellias in well-drained, uniformly wet soil in partial shade. The majority are marketed in pots or tubs.

It is critical to put them in the garden with the soil level in the container matching the soil level in the ground.

Apply root mulch after planting (leaves or shredded bark). After flowering, prune as needed to maintain growth and form.

Are Camellia Sasanqua Fast-Growing?

The Sasanqua camellia grows rapidly, reaching a height of 6 to 10 feet and a spread of 5 to 7 feet. Japanese cultivars grow more slowly, reaching a height and spread of 6 to 10 feet.

While camellias are often regarded as completely mature a few years after they begin flowering, they may survive for hundreds of years, and the Japanese type can continue to grow until it reaches approximately 25 feet in height.

Camellias require wet, well-drained soil with a consistent water supply for their roots.

Trees that are newly planted and have to fight for water with each other or with already established trees will suffer by developing more slowly.

Camellias, on the other hand, that are given an adequate water supply from the time of planting until they are fully grown will grow significantly faster and remain healthy as they grow.

How Do You Espalier Camellia Sasanqua?

Look for plants with wide, spreading growth and multiple leading branches when selecting sasanqua camellias to espalier.

If you’re espaliering against a wall or fence, remember that some materials (such as Colourbond or dark-colored bricks) might become hot and injure the espaliered plant’s limbs. In this case, build a structure around 30 cm (12′′) away from the wall.

Plant your camellia against a wall or trellis and tie back the branches in a symmetrical or casual fashion.

Camellia branches were connected to eye screws fastened into the masonry wall with plastic plugs in our part.

Ties are required every 20 cm (8′′) and must be loosened and adjusted as the plant develops.

How Do You Prune A Camellia Sasanqua?

Camellia bushes are a popular garden plant, especially in USDA zones 6 to 9.

Their showy flower buds adorn your garden from winter to spring, while the evergreen foliage provides shade and privacy all year. To keep your Camellia shrub looking great, we’ll show you how to trim a camellia bush step by step.

A neglected camellia shrub is not a pretty sight. Pruning is not required for plant care, although most gardeners advocate cutting the bush once a year to maintain it appealing and healthy.

Continue reading to learn why pruning is beneficial and how to prune your camellia shrub for the best results.

If you only want to give your Camellia a nice look, you may trim it any time of the year. If you want to increase bloom output for the following year, prune it just after it finishes blossoming for the season. Pruning Pink Perfection Camellia is best done in May or June after they have finished flowering in the spring.

Shishi Gashira and other Sasanqua camellias bloom from late fall to early winter and sometimes April, therefore, prune them in the winter before the growth season in spring.

The goal is to trim the shrub before new growth appears so that you don’t mistakenly snip off any blossom buds that are about to open for the following season.

How Do You Care For A Sasanqua Camellia?

Camellia sasanqua, sometimes known as sasanqua camellia, is a Camellia species endemic to China and Japan. It may frequently be found growing up to 900 meters in height.

It is an evergreen shrub that may grow up to 6 meters tall. The leaves are broad elliptic in shape, measuring 3-7 cm long and 1.2-3 cm wide, with a sharply serrated border. The blooms are 5-7 cm across and have 5-8 white to dark pink petals.

Camellia sasanqua needs the following conditions to thrive:

Soil Moisture

Camellias require wet, well-drained soil with a consistent water supply for their roots. Trees that are newly planted and have to fight for water with each other or with already established trees will suffer by developing more slowly.

On the other hand, Camellias, provided an appropriate water supply from the time of planting until they are completely grown, would develop substantially faster and remain healthy as they expand.

Camellias are evergreens with lustrous foliage, making it difficult to determine when they want water.

Insert your finger inside the root ball. Water if it feels dry 2 to 3 inches deep into the soil.

In general, if you plant in the autumn, you’ll only need to water once every week or two, providing there hasn’t been any rain.

Ideal Sunlight

Camellias also dislike direct sunlight, though they will withstand it once established. If you have to place them in the sun, make sure they get enough water in the beginning.

Once they show signs of establishment, such as healthy, glossy leaves and a good bloom, you may cut back on the water. If possible, plant them in partial shade instead of the sun.

Fertilization

Fertilization can help camellias grow if properly applied throughout the year, generally no more than three times.

However, poor or excessively frequent fertilization can create chemical burns on the leaves or trunks of plants, causing them to develop slowly and severely.

To maximize camellia growth rate, use fertilizer exactly as directed and reject the notion that more fertilizer equals greater growth. Instead, concentrate on providing adequate water, light, and cover for the shrub while it matures.

Ideal Temperatures

Camellias do not like really cold weather, although they will endure it. They can live in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and in extremely hot conditions, although they abhor searing sunshine.

Camellias are sensitive to temperature changes and can be shocked.

Plant them where they will be shielded from the wind and the hot sun, such as beneath bigger, shady trees or against the side of a building.

Extreme cold in the morning and brilliant sun in the afternoon, for example, are not optimal for camellia development.

Soil Requirements

Camellias thrive in slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5), moist, well-drained, and high in organic matter.

Before planting camellias, acquire a soil test to see if you need to apply lime to increase the pH or sulfur to reduce it.

After doing a soil test and making necessary pH changes, give your plants a head start by preparing the planting area with Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Flowers, which is intended to help flowers grow larger and with more blooms (vs. unfed plants). Simply combine equal parts bagged garden soil and existing soil.