Camellia sasanqua Selections & Hybrids

Sasanquas start blooming, here in North Carolina, at the end of September and will continue blooming until hard freezes inDecember. Since the blooms appear before freezing weather, gardeners can enjoy the flowers every year. The dependability of color in fall and the sturdy nature of the plant makes this a very useful addition to the garden. Sasanqua can be used as specimens, hedges or screens and one can expect one to two feet of growth per year. Many C. sasanqua cultivars can tolerate full sun throughout the year with handsome glossy leaves although some winter shade is beneficial especially in colder areas. In nature Sasanquas are small trees up to thirty feet tall but in cultivation fifteen feet in twenty years can be expected since the upward growth slows as the plant gets older. Several varieties are spreading growers which stay below 5-6 feet tall. In the descriptions below, the parentage of hybrids is listed at the end of the description. Cultivated Sasanquas are probably all introgressed hybrids with C. japonica and should be called C. × hiemalis.

Where present, thumbnails can be clicked for a larger image.

Selections introduced by Camellia Forest are shown in blue.
Selections that are new this year are shown in green.
New Camellia Forest selections are shown in purple.

CF ‘Anne McCulloch Hill’ (zone 7B) – This backcross, (C. sasanqua × C. reticulata ) × C. sasanqua blooms profusely with the best characteristics of both parent species. The influence of the C. reticulata is evident in the medium large flowers which are intense cerise pink and open in October and November. The free flowering habit and fine texture come from C. sasanqua. $12.00

CF Camellia japonica ‘Autumn Lantern’ (zone 7A) - Single pink. $12.00

CF Camellia japonica ‘Autumn Mist’ (zone 7A) - Single light pink. $50.00

‘Autumn Moon’ = ‘Marie Kirk’ (zone 7) – This fine white sasanqua has formal double flowers and super vigorous growth. The blooms start early and are very showy in the garden. The plant has a narrow upright form and is a good choice for a hedge.
$12.00 and $24.00

NEW ‘Autumn Sentinel’ = ‘Bob Green’ (zone 7) – This striking plant has a very narrow upright growth habit with distinctive foliage. The leaves are small, narrow and dark green and with a compact habit, create a very attractive plant for a hedge or specimen. The plant grows quickly and the pale pink blooms come early in the season (October) and are small and double. This plant comes from Bobby Green in southern Alabama but has grown well in NC for several years. $12.00

CF ‘Autumn Sun’ (zone 7A) - The rose red semi-double flowers are produced in mid-autumn (November) on this compact and robust shrub. The original plant was planted in a very sunny location and has shiny dark green leaves all year long. The plant form is upright but very compact with dense growth. $12.00

CF ‘Autumn Sunrise’ (zone 7) – This is a favorite of Clifford Parks because it is one of the earliest Sasanquas to start blooming in the fall and the heavy bloom is quite striking. The white flowers have a red tip on each petal which gives great contrast. The flowers are cup shaped as they open and are large singles. The plant grows vigorously and has a nice dense and upright habit. $12.00 and $24.00

‘Bonanza Var.’ (zone 7) – This has some of the deepest pink-red flowers of any of the Sasanqua. All Sasanquas have pink overtones due to the chemistry of the pigments in their flowers. The flowers are semi-double and medium sized and the plant has a somewhat spreading habit. The variegation caused by virus in these plants can create white mottles in the flowers. Multiple clones of ‘Bonanza’ exist and this is a larger flowered form which starts to bloom in October. $12.00

NEW ‘Cecilia’ (zone 7) – The small pink formal double flowers bloom over a long season and the small leaves give the plant a neat appearance. $12.00

‘Chansonette’ (zone 7) – This spreading grower has brilliant pink flowers and may reach 5 feet tall by 8 feet wide in ten years. This is a seedling of ‘Shishigashira’ and has almost formal double flowers with petals that become ruffled with age. $12.00 and $24.00

CF ‘China Girl’ (zone 7B) – The large deep pink, semi-double blooms open in late autumn (November and December). This is a strong grower with excellent foliage texture that is intermediate between the two parent species. This is a garden highlight, and will be at its best where heavy frosts are delayed. (C. sasanqua ‘Narumi-gata’ × C. reticulata ‘Cornelian’) $12.00

CF ‘Christmas Eve’ (zone 7B) -This recent introduction blooms in December and January with bright pink flowers. The flowers are rather large and quite resistant to light freezes which allows a display of color when most plants are dormant. The plant is very vigorous and becomes a small tree in 15 years. The new growth is bronze red and then fades to a deep glossy green. ‘Christmas Eve’ is an excellent choice for the Gulf Coast or California or other zone 8-9 areas where the blooms can be enjoyed without interruption, but we usually get a display of blooms in central NC in a protected garden site. (C. sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ × C. reticulata ‘Cornelian’) $12.00

CF ‘Christmas Rose’ (zone 8A) – The rose pink to light red, rose form double flowers start to open around Christmas and look like an opening rose bud. We recommend this plant for zone 8 because the midwinter bloom (December until February) is enjoyed best in a mild climate or a greenhouse. (C. × williamsii × C. sasanqua) $12.00

‘Dawn’=’Ginryu’ (zone 7A) -This heavy bloomer opens in late fall and has white flowers with traces of pink at the petal tips. The plant forms a rounded shrub with nice glossy foliage. (C. × vernalis) $24.00

‘Dazzler’ (zone 7) - Brilliant rose red semi-double flowers are produced early in the fall. This is a vigorous grower. $24.00

‘Egao Corkscrew’ (zone 7) -The contorted stems and very double flowers make this sport quite different from the parent, ‘Egao’. The contorted stems were noticed at Nuccio’s Nursery but my plant produces flowers with a nice rose form not the semi-double of the parent. From November until March I will have some blooms on a rather spreading plant. $15.00

‘Fuji-no-yuki’ (zone 7) - “Snow on Fuji” (trans.) is a white, medium double flower on an outstanding upright and compact shrub. The flower bud tips bear peach red and the flowers appear formal double at early stages of bloom with a few stamens appearing as the flower ages. $12.00 and $24.00

‘Gingetsu’ (zone 7) – “Silver Moon” (trans.) has large white single flowers with reddish markings on the outside of the petal tips. The plant is vigorous and in the sun makes a dense upright shrub. A Higo sasanqua recognized by the Higo sasanqua society. $12.00 and $24.00

‘Hi-inkô’ (zone 7) - “Scarlet Toned Red” (trans.) is a very early blooming Japanese cultivar with cerise-pink peony to formal double flowers on a plant with spreading growth. As the flowers age the color can turn to a purplish red. $50.00 ‘Irihi-no-umi’ (zone 7A) - “Sea at Sunset” (trans.) has large vivid red burgundy single Higo flowers. Sometimes the flowers even have a bluish cast. The foliage is a very nice dark glossy green and it has a good compact form. $12.00 and $24.00

‘Jean May’ (zone 7A) -This popular old dependable variety has shell pink double blossoms. The three inch diameter flowers are produced in profusion from early October to the end of November usually. The plant is bushy with small and glossy leaves. $24.00

‘Kira-shiro-kantsubaki’ (zone 7) – “Kira’s white winter Camellia” (trans.) has small white double flowers with slight red marking on the outer petals. The bloom season is early and the plant has a very compact growth habit. I expect the plant to be 4-5 feet tall in ten years. $12.00

NEW 'Lisa’ (zone 7) – This white double flowered sasanqua blooms early in the season with very symmetrical blooms which look formal double as they open. The plant is upright and vigorous with small leaves. $12.00

CF ‘Midnight Lover’ (zone 7A) -This was selected and named for its intense, deep burgundy red color; the deepest red we have seen in C. sasanqua. The plant is vigorous and erect in habit, and it will make a wonderful contrast to the whites and pinks of other sasanquas in your garden. Blooms October to November. (a seedling of C. sasanqua ‘Crimson King’) $12.00, $24.00 and $50.00

CF ‘Moon Festival’ (zone 7B) -This well shaped shrub has the general aspect of C. sasanqua and has huge, single flowers produced in abundance; flowers are usually 5 or 6 inches in diameter. This novel November to December bloomer has always received surprised looks from visitors. (C. sasanqua × [C. sasanqua × C. reticulata]) $50.00

CF Camellia japonica ‘October Affair’ (zone 7B) - Formal double. $15.00 and $24.00

‘Our Linda’ (zone 7) -This has some of the largest double flowers of the sasanquas with the petals held in a symmetrical and 3D manner. The petal color is a light rose pink contrasted with dark green foliage. The plant tends to be bushy and form a rounded shrub. $12.00

CF ‘Pink Butterfly’ (zone 7A) – ‘Pink Butterfly’ has bright pink, single, very large flowers from early to mid-season (October and November). The plant is very vigorous with large deep green leaves making this an outstanding specimen plant or an excellent choice for a colorful hedge. $12.00 ($24.00 size sold out)

CF ‘Pink Goddess’ (zone 7B) - This shrub has a rather fine foliar texture, but the delicate, perfectly formed pink flowers are very large and cup shaped. The flowers tend to be single but occasionally anemone form flowers are produced. This variety has been selected for its strikingly beautiful flowers. The plant is quite upright with compact branching and a dense appearance. $12.00 and $24.00

CF ‘Pink Serenade’ (zone 7) – Several large plants in the garden and the greenhouse always put on a long lasting show of deep pink single flowers. The showiness combined with a strong upright growth habit makes this a very worthwhile plant for a specimen in the garden or shrub border. $12.00 and $50.00‘Reverend Ida’ (zone 7) – A striking new plant from Bobby Green in Fairhope, Alabama. This is a seedling of ‘Shishigashira’ and has a similar growth habit which is spreading and quite compact. The flower is a small semi-double of an intense dark reddish-pink. $12.00 and $24.00

‘Santô-zaki’ (zone 7) – “Triple Flowered” (trans.) produces one to three flowers from one bud. The pink flowers will appear double because of this trait. The small leaves shine from the glossy surface and can split into two or three lobes also. The plant is upright and has quite compact growth. $12.00

‘Sarrel’ (zone 7B) - This spreading plant could easily be kept under two feet tall with a little pruning or training of the branches. The first time my plant bloomed I had to run for the camera since it was a perfect formal double pink flower. This was introduced by Bobby Green. $12.00 and $24.00

NEW CF ‘Scented Snow’ (zone 7A) – This early blooming white anemone form flower attracted the attention of several custom-ers with its outstanding scent. Most sasanquas have some fragrance but this one has an especially sweet scent. The numerous buds open into 7-8 large petals that open flat with numerous petaloids and stamens in the center. The plant grows rapidly with an upright habit. The leaves are dark green and quite large for a sasanqua. (C. sasanqua ‘Northern Lights’ X C. x ‘Snow Flurry’)$15.00, $30.00, ($60.00 size sold out) and $100.00 TOO LARGE

‘Seikaiha’ (zone 7B) – “Quiet Ocean Waves” (trans.) has formal double to rose form double white flowers with outer petals having pink markings. Individual blooms on this plant are quite showy due to the large size and nice form. The plant grows about as wide as tall and has nice stiff branches. $50.00

‘Sekiyo’ (zone 7A) – “Setting Sun” (trans.) has vivid deep red sometimes bluish colored flowers that open flat. The C. sasanqua almost always have pink or bluish overtones in the “red” flowers and only a few late bloomers have true red flowers. This semi-double is an early bloomer and one of the darkest colors. The plant makes a compact plant with nice glossy leaves. $12.00

CF ‘Seventh Desire’ (zone 7A) - The double flowers of this variety are cerise pink with a small boss of stamens in the center. The petals are notched and crinkled making each bloom a treat to look at closely. The plant has vigorous growth which tends to weep at the branch tips making an interesting plant form. This one blooms very early and can carpet the ground with pink petals. (a seedling of C. sasanqua ‘Asahi-no-ume’) $12.00 and $24.00

‘Shibori-egao’ (zone 7) – “Variegated Smiling Face” (trans.) originated in Kurume, Japan and it has mid-pink semi-double blooms blotched with white (virus) in late fall. The plant is very vigorous and quite cold hardy. Often the leaves have yellow splotches. The vernalis group are probably hybrids between C. japonica and C. sasanqua. (C. × vernalis) $24.00

‘Shikishima’ (zone 7A) – The word ‘Shikishima’ is a poetic name for Japan and this sasanqua is a good choice to represent the country. The double flowers are a medium pink and especially appealing when they first open. The lanceolate (narrow) leaves have a nice dark green color and the plant grows quite densely without pruning. $12.00 and $50.00

NEW CF ‘Shikishima Splash’ (zone 7A) – This genetic variegation of the above cultivar has bright yellow splashes throughout the leaves. With a little pruning a striking plant can be maintained. $15.00

CF ‘Shikoku Stars’ (zone 7A) – Small white single blooms cover this deep green shrub like tiny stars. The texture is extremely delicate and fine, but the plant is vigorous and free blooming. This was selected from a wild stand of sasanquas growing at the northern end of the natural range on the Japanese island of Shikoku. It is very hardy. (true C. sasanqua) $12.00

‘Shishigashira’ (zone 7A) – “Lion’s Head” (trans.) is a reddish pink double which is very free flowering but a slow spreading grower. It is an old variety from the Kansai area of Japan. Although this is a spreading plant with time the plant will reach five feet tall or more. $12.00 and $24.00

‘Showa-no-sakae’ (zone 7A) - “Glory of Showa” (trans.) has a light pink peony form flower on a plant with spreading growth when young although the plant can get huge with great age. $12.00 and $24.00

‘Slim ‘n Trim’ (zone 7) – I am revising my judgment on this plant—it is not a dwarf; it is a small-leaved form with slow to moderate growth. The leaves are narrow and tiny with short internodes so a very dense plant results but my ten year old plant is over six feet tall now. The flowers are deep rose pink and single. This is useful for confined spaces since it stays very narrow and upright. $12.00

‘Sparkling Burgandy’ (zone 7A) -This is one of my favorites since it is usually the first to start blooming and is a profuse bloomer. The blooms are peony form with intense deep pink color. The plant has a shrubby habit which display the flowers in weeping sprays. $12.00 and $24.00

NEW ‘Tsumaorigasa’ (zone 7A) – Double pink flowers on an upright plant. $12.00‘Uncle Toi’ (zone 7) - Pink single flowers are produced on a plant with smaller leaves. $24.00

CF ‘Wm. Lanier Hunt’ (zone 7B) – The medium red, peony form flowers bloom mid-season (October and early November). It is a vigorous grower and tends to form a nicely rounded shrub at an early age. Mr. Hunt at age 88 amazed us by standing up from sitting crossed legged on the ground without using his hands. $12.00

‘Yuletide’ (zone 7B) -This is one of the only true reds found among fall blooming Camellias and the plant has a wonderful compact form with small dark green leaves. Unfortunately this blooms late in the season and can be frozen by freezes we usually get near Christmas. There are two thing to do: 1) cross this with early blooming reds such as ‘Midnight Lover’ and ‘Yuletide’ does make fertile seeds 2) plant the bush in a very protected spot in an alcove and cover the plant on freezing nights. $12.00

‘Yume’ (zone 7B) - “Dream” (trans.) is a profuse mid-winter bloomer with single flowers and a spreading growth habit. The petal coloration is genetic and very unusual: often the petals appear to alternate white and pale pink. A slight fragrance is present from the C. yuhsienensis parent. It produces seeds freely and I have had seedlings produce the same petal variegation pattern so it is a potentially useful plant in hybridization. (C. sasanqua ‘Shishigashira’ × C. yuhsienensis) $12.00 and $50.00