LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message

Camellias Provide Fall and Winter Color

Camellias are popular sources of color in fall and winter gardens in the southeastern US. Many species of camellias exist, though I’ll just cover a few of them here.

Sasanquas (Camellia sasanqua) tend to bloom in late fall. I associate them with Thanksgiving, though peak flowering time varies among cultivars. They have smaller leaves and, generally, smaller flowers than Japanese camellias but often have an abundance of blooms. Young stems of sasanquas have fine hairs, while those of Japanese camellias are smooth. Sasanquas are more resistant than Japanese camellias are to Phytophthora root rot, which sometimes affects camellias, particularly when they’re grown in wet areas. In fact, many Japanese camellias are grafted onto sasanqua rootstock.

The sasanqua camellia variety ‘Leslie Ann’ was named a Louisiana Super Plant for 2015. Flower petals are predominantly white, with pink along the edges. ‘Leslie Ann’ grows to about 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide.

ShiShi Gashira (‘Shishigashira’) is another Super Plant camellia. This variety is often grouped with sasanquas, but some identify it as a different species, C. hiemalis. ShiShi Gashira has dark pink flowers. It can reach about 4 to 5 feet tall and wide but more commonly stays about 3 feet tall, so it can be used where a relatively low-growing evergreen shrub is desired.

Perhaps the most well-known camellia species is Japanese camellia (C. japonica). When all varieties are taken into consideration, flowering may occur any time between late fall and early spring, but blooms are generally most abundant between late January and mid-March.

Japanese camellias can grow to approximately 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, but height and width of 8 and 5 feet, respectively, are more common.

There are many, many Japanese camellia varieties. Flower colors include red, pink, white, and combinations of these. Some are variegated. Flower types – based on number and arrangement of petals and other flower parts – include single, semi-double, anemone form, peony form, rose form double, and formal double.

Although it doesn’t provide flowers as spectacular, on an individual basis, as other species mentioned, the tea plant (C. sinensis) is also a camellia. Flowers of the tea plant generally appear in fall, have white petals and yellow centers, and are about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. They’re popular with pollinators.

Camellias grow well in partial shade, such as that provided when sun is filtered through pine trees. Japanese camellias, especially, may be stressed under full sun conditions.

Like azaleas, hollies, and blueberries, camellias grow well in soil that’s well drained and more acidic than what’s optimal for most plants. Soil pH should be between 5.0 and 6.5. Mulch on the surface and high levels of organic matter in the soil are beneficial.

If you prune camellias, try to do so in late winter or early spring, shortly after they finish flowering. This allows time for flower buds to develop for the following season.

Master Gardeners in Tangipahoa Parish will be selling camellia plants at the 2026 Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days, November 6-8.

Let me know if you have questions.

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Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson is an Extension Agent with the LSU AgCenter, with horticulture responsibilities in Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes. Contact Mary Helen at mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-277-1850 (Hammond) or 985-839-7855 (Franklinton).