Rose Ann Camellia

Rose Ann Camellia (Camellia sasanqua 'Rose Ann') is the hedging camellia for a sunny, exposed spot, reaching about 2.5m tall and 2m wide with soft pink flowers through autumn. Sasanquas take far more sun, wind and salt than the japonicas, so this one holds a boundary where a fussier camellia would burn. It is evergreen and non toxic to cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Autumn flowering. Pink blooms open from autumn into early winter, filling the gap once the summer garden has finished.
• Sun and wind tolerant. Unlike japonica camellias it takes full sun, coastal wind and salt spray, so an exposed fence line suits it.
• Safe around pets. Camellias are not toxic to cats or dogs, so it suits a garden the animals share.
• Bees work the flowers. The open sasanqua form gives easy access at a time of year with little else in bloom.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row. Growth is slow and dense, so allow three to four seasons for a solid screen, then two light trims a year hold the line.

Coastal and windy gardens. Salt tolerant and wind tolerant, so it works on an exposed coastal boundary where most flowering hedges scorch.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 400mm or wider holds it at around 1.5m to 2m. Use an acidic potting mix and keep the water up through autumn while it is in bud.

Growing Rose Ann Camellia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Sasanquas flower most heavily in sun, though hot inland afternoons are easier on them with some light shade. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, and it is frost hardy once established.

Soil. Acidic, free draining and rich in organic matter. Work compost through the bed before planting, and if your soil is alkaline use a pot with an azalea and camellia mix rather than trying to correct the ground.

Water and feed. Keep the root zone evenly damp from late summer through flowering, because drying out at bud stage is the main cause of buds dropping. Feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering and again in mid summer, and mulch 75mm deep clear of the trunk.

Pruning. Trim once flowering finishes in late winter, and lightly again in early summer for a formal face. It reshoots from older wood, so an overgrown hedge can be cut back hard.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 400mm and 300mm pots as single plants, in 250mm pots in packs of three, and in 200mm pots in packs of six. The 400mm plants carry real height and sit close to flowering size. The 200mm and 250mm packs are the sensible way to buy a run of hedge, at a much better rate per metre.

A few dropped leaves or buds after transit is normal for a camellia and not a fault. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to grow and care for camellias
• Browse the full camellia range
• Screening plants from 2m to 4m
• Salt tolerant plants for coastal gardens

Common questions

What is the difference between a sasanqua and a japonica?

Sasanquas like this one flower in autumn, take full sun and wind, and carry smaller leaves with more open flowers. Japonicas flower later and need shelter and shade.

Can it grow in full sun?

Yes, and it flowers best there. In very hot inland gardens give it afternoon shade, but a coastal or temperate garden can have it in sun all day.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Camellias are recognised as non toxic to cats and dogs, so dropped flowers and leaves are not a concern.

How long before it makes a solid hedge?

Three to four seasons from 200mm or 250mm stock, or two to three from 400mm plants.