Gay Camellia

Gay Camellia (Camellia sasanqua 'Gay') is an evergreen shrub that flowers in the quiet part of the year, opening pink and white blooms through autumn and into winter. Left to grow it reaches about 3.5m tall and 2.5m wide, and it clips readily to a 2m hedge instead. The small glossy leaves hold right down to the base, and nothing on the plant is toxic to cats or dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Colour when the garden is bare. Flowering runs through autumn and winter, covering the long gap between the summer shrubs and spring.
• A hedge that earns its keep. Planted 1.2m apart it closes into a dense screen that flowers, rather than a plain green wall.
• Takes more sun than most camellias. Sasanqua types handle full sun once established, so this is not restricted to shaded corners.
• Safe around pets. Camellias are not toxic to cats or dogs, which matters for a shrub planted at nose height along a fence.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1.2m apart in a single row for a hedge held between 2m and 3m. For a taller informal screen, stretch the spacing to 1.5m and let the plants keep their natural shape.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider suits it, and container growing holds it closer to 1.5m to 2m. Potted camellias dry out quickly in summer, so plan on watering.

Growing Gay Camellia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with morning sun and afternoon shelter giving the longest lasting blooms in hot inland gardens. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean districts, is frost hardy once established, and stands up to salt wind on coastal blocks.

Soil. Slightly acidic, free draining soil with plenty of organic matter. On alkaline or heavy ground, plant high in a raised bed and work compost through. Keep 75mm of mulch over the shallow roots, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then weekly in dry spells. Feed a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering, and again in mid summer while buds form.

Pruning. Prune to shape as soon as flowering finishes. Trimming later in the year removes the buds already set for the next season.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in 200mm pots in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, and single 300mm and 330mm plants. The packs suit a hedge run, since they arrive matched and grow at the same rate. The 300mm and 330mm plants are older and already branched, which suits a pot or a single feature.

Plants are packed upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Some bud drop after transit is normal. Expect a few settling weeks, then steady growth through the first warm season, covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• A full guide to growing camellia bushes
• Compare the rest of the camellia range
• Other proven hedging plants
• Browse plants that are safe for pets

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

1.2m apart in a single row. Closer planting does not close the gap sooner and makes the base compete for water, while wider spacing leaves visible gaps at 2m height.

Will it flower in shade?

It will flower in part shade, though not as heavily. Four to six hours of direct sun gives the best bud set, and the blooms hold longer where afternoon sun is filtered.

Why did mine not flower this year?

Almost always pruning at the wrong time. Buds form in late spring and summer for the following autumn, so trim within a few weeks of the last bloom and leave it alone after that.

How quickly does it grow?

Moderately, around 20 to 30cm a year once the roots are away, and slower in cool southern gardens. A hedge from 200mm stock generally reads as solid in three to four seasons.