Pure Silk Camellia

Pure Silk Camellia (Camellia sasanqua 'Pure Silk') flowers when the rest of the garden is winding down, covering itself through autumn and into winter with silky white blooms brushed pink at the edges. It grows to about 3m tall and 2m wide with glossy evergreen foliage, hedges beautifully at 1m spacings, and being a sasanqua it takes sun, frost and dry spells that would scorch the fussier japonica camellias. It is also pet friendly.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers in the off season. The white and blush display runs through autumn and winter, exactly when gardens need it most, and honeyeaters and bees work every bloom.
• The tough camellia. Sasanquas handle full sun, frost and established-plant dry spells, far more forgiving than japonicas.
• Hedge, screen or feature. Dense to the ground when clipped, elegant when left natural, and equally at home as a matched pair in pots.
• Pet friendly. One of the few flowering hedges we list as safe around cats and dogs.
• Evergreen polish. The small glossy leaves look groomed all year with a single annual trim.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart for a dense 2m to 3m flowering hedge; a 6m run takes 6 or 7 plants. It clips cleanly to formal faces.

Feature planting. A single specimen against a wall or fence becomes the garden's winter centrepiece.

Pots and containers. In a 50cm pot it flowers reliably for years on a shaded patio or bright balcony.

Growing Pure Silk Camellia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade; unlike japonicas, sasanquas flower hardest with real sun. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens and is fully frost hardy once established.

Soil. Slightly acidic, organic and well drained is ideal. Work compost through before planting and mulch 75mm deep, keeping mulch clear of the trunk. Camellias are shallow rooted, so never dig around the base.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week for the first summer, then established plants handle normal dry spells. Feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering finishes in late winter.

Pruning. Once a year, straight after flowering, before spring growth carries next season's buds. Hedges can also be lightly faced in midsummer.

What to expect when it arrives

Pure Silk ships in everything from tubes (grown to order at times, shown as backorder) and 200mm packs of 6 for hedge runs, through single 300mm and 400mm plants, up to 500mm, 100L and 150L advanced stock that arrives as an instant flowering hedge or feature. Delivery is Australia wide, from $29.95, with a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Autumn and winter deliveries often arrive in bud or bloom. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full camellia range
• Compare hedging and screening plants
• Plants safe for pets

Common questions

What is the difference between a sasanqua and a japonica camellia?

Sasanquas like Pure Silk flower earlier (autumn into winter), take more sun and frost, grow faster and hedge better. Japonicas carry larger formal flowers but demand shade and shelter.

How fast will it make a hedge?

From 300mm stock at 1m spacing, expect a connected flowering hedge in three to four seasons. The 200mm packs cost less per metre and add about a season.

Why are the buds dropping before opening?

Usually water stress while buds were forming in late summer and autumn. Keep moisture even from February on and mulch well; the following season normally corrects itself.

Is it really safe for pets?

Yes. Camellias are listed as non toxic to cats and dogs, which makes Pure Silk one of the safest flowering hedges for a family garden.