Camellia sasanqua ‘Jean May’

Sasanqua camellia 'Jean May' (Camellia sasanqua 'Jean May') is the hedge that flowers when little else does. It reaches about 3m tall and 2m wide, holds small glossy leaves that clip into a crisp face, and covers itself in soft shell pink double blooms through autumn. Unlike the japonica camellias it takes real sun, so it earns a place on an open boundary.

Why you'll love it

• Autumn flowers on an evergreen frame. Soft shell pink double blooms open as the garden winds down, on a plant that stays fully clothed the rest of the year.
• It clips beautifully. Small leaves and dense twiggy growth give a sharp hedge face, a ball or a standard, without ragged cut ends.
• Tough once settled. Frost hardy, wind tolerant and drought tolerant after two seasons, and more sun tolerant than most camellias.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs, and the flowers bring in bees through the cooler months.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row. Held at 1.5m to 2m it screens a fence line; left alone it fills out to about 3m.

Pots and topiary. A 500mm pot holds a clipped ball or a standard for years. It grows slowly enough that shaping stays a twice a year job.

Feature planting. One plant against a warm wall or beside an entry gives glossy foliage all year and a flush of pink when most gardens have gone quiet.

Growing sasanqua camellia in Australia

Position and climate. In warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens it takes all day sun; in subtropical areas give it afternoon shade so the blooms last. It is frost hardy once established. Very hot arid districts and the wet tropics sit outside its range.

Soil. Slightly acidic, well drained and rich in organic matter. Work compost through the bed before planting and keep 75mm of mulch clear of the stem. It sulks in heavy wet clay, so mound the bed where drainage is poor.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then taper off. Feed a camellia and azalea fertiliser in early spring and again once flowering finishes.

Pruning. Trim straight after the last blooms drop, which sets the buds for the following autumn; cutting late in spring removes next season's flowers. It reshoots from old wood, so an overgrown plant can be brought back hard.

What to expect when it arrives

Three sizes are grown: tube stock, 200mm in packs of six, and 250mm in packs of three. Tube stock is the value option for a long hedge line and takes about three years to close. The 200mm and 250mm plants are bushier and already branched, giving a usable screen a season or two sooner. Sasanquas are naturally slow, so patience is part of the deal.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Expect a quiet six weeks after planting, then steady growth of 20cm to 30cm a year. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the full camellia care guide.
• Compare varieties in the camellia collection.
• Weigh it against other hedging and screening plants.
• How to build a great hedge and keep the face even.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row. Closer spacing does not close the hedge any faster, and it makes the plants compete for water at the roots.

When does it flower, and for how long?

From mid autumn into early winter, with the display running four to six weeks depending on your climate. Cooler gardens tend to hold the blooms longer.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes. Use a pot at least 500mm wide with a free draining acidic mix, and expect it to settle around 1.5m rather than 3m. Potted camellias drop their buds when they dry out, so watering is the thing to stay on top of.