Camellia sasanquas are an attractive feature in many autumn gardens. They are very versatile plants as they are tolerant of drier positions, requiring a minimum of water.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sasanqua camellias can be grown in positions that are more exposed to sun and wind.
In spite of this tolerance for garden positions that may be more extreme, sasanqua camellias produce flowers that appear to be delightfully fragile in structure.
They produce an abundance of flowers in a range of colours from white through to pale and darker pinks to reds, with some varieties having multi-coloured flowers.
Sasanqua camellias differ in their flowering habit from the more well-known camellia japonica, in that their flowers generally last for only a few days, whereas flowers on a camellia japonica bush can remain there for up to a week.
However, sasanqua camellias make up for this by producing many more flowers, so that the bush appears to be covered in blooms for an extended period.
As the flowers fall they create a most attractive carpet of colour on the ground underneath the bush.
The flowers assist in encouraging native birds, especially honeyeaters, into the garden as they enjoy the nectar produced in the blossoms.
As sasanqua camellias begin their flowering season, it’s a good time to choose varieties that you might wish to include in your garden.
Flower colour, structure, growth habit and size are all factors to be considered when choosing plant varieties.
Sasanqua camellias are most adaptable and make ideal specimens for topiary subjects, particularly the popular lollipop form.
They can also be grown as hedges, wind breaks and screens. Varieties that can be used as ground covers are also becoming available.
Because of the nature of their trunks, the removal of lower growth exposes an attractive pattern of shapes on more mature plants, especially if they have been grown along a fence.
They respond very well to trimming with hedge clippers and, therefore, they are ideal for narrow garden beds such as those beside a driveway.
Gardeners wanting to obtain new plants without having to buy them might enjoy the challenge of growing new plants from cuttings.
This may be to produce new plants for the garden, or to provide plants to give to family or friends.
Early autumn is a suitable time for this activity as the new growth that was produced earlier on is now at a suitable stage for use as cutting material.
Geraniums, azaleas, hibiscus, fuchsias, grevilleas, camellias and lavender are all suitable for this treatment.
The plant material selected should be semi-hardwood; new growth that has started to become stronger and less full of sap.
Pieces about 10cm long are ideal. If old flowers or buds are present on the end of the selected piece, they should be removed.
Remove any leaves from the lower part of the cutting, leaving only the top one or two sets of leaves.
If these leaves are reasonably large, cutting off half of the leaf will reduce moisture loss.
After coating the base of the cutting in a hormone-based cutting powder, or in some honey, it should be placed into a pre-made hole in a coarse potting mixture. The pot can be covered in a plastic bag in order to create a humid environment.
After four-six weeks the bag can be gradually removed to allow fresh air to circulate around the young plant.
Young roots should have formed at the base of the cutting.
The whole plant material should then be placed carefully into a larger pot, avoiding damage to the tender new root system, and using a good quality potting mix.
geoffh.gardening@gmail.com
Maitland and District Garden Club
