Bonanza Camellia

Bonanza Camellia (Camellia sasanqua 'Bonanza') is a spreading sasanqua that reaches about 2.2m tall and 1.8m wide, smothered in deep red semi double flowers through autumn and into winter. Sasanquas take sun and clipping in a way japonica camellias do not. Planted 1m apart it makes a dense screen that flowers when the rest of the garden has finished.

Why you'll love it

• A hedge that flowers in autumn. Deep red blooms cover the plant from mid autumn into winter, then drop cleanly instead of browning on the bush.
• Takes full sun. Unlike japonica camellias, sasanquas hold their foliage and flower heavily in an open sunny position.
• Clips well. Small dense leaves and a naturally twiggy habit make it one of the better camellias for a formal hedge, a screen or a shaped ball.
• Safe around pets. Camellias are not toxic to cats or dogs, which matters for a hedge along a run or a fence line.
• Feeds birds and bees. The open centred flowers give easy nectar access when little else is out.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row for a hedge held anywhere between 1.2m and 2.2m. The spreading habit means it fills the gaps at the base rather than lifting into bare stems.

Pots and courtyards. A 500mm pot holds one plant for years, and the autumn flowering makes it a useful container plant beside an entry.

Topiary and shaping. It responds well to clipping into balls, cones or an espalier against a wall, where the flat growth habit is an advantage.

Growing Bonanza Camellia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with morning sun and afternoon shade ideal in hot inland gardens. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate climates and is frost hardy once established. It is not a plant for the wet tropics.

Soil. Slightly acidic, free draining soil with plenty of organic matter. On alkaline or heavy soil, plant into a raised bed of camellia and azalea mix. Mulch 75mm deep with a leaf based mulch, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Keep the root zone evenly moist through the first two summers, since camellias are shallow rooted and resent drying out while budding. Feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser in early spring and again after flowering.

Pruning. Prune straight after flowering finishes, before the new growth starts, which is the window that protects next season's buds. Hedges take two light trims a year; a neglected plant can be cut back hard and will reshoot from old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as a 200mm pack of six and a 250mm pack of three. Both are young branched plants rather than instant hedges, packed in multiples because that is how a hedge is bought: six 200mm plants give a 6m run at 1m spacing. The 250mm size is a season ahead and worth it for a short, prominent run.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect a settling month, then steady growth, with a hedge closing over two to three seasons. 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
• Compare hedging and screening plants
• Plants that suit topiary and shaping

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row. Closer planting does not close the hedge faster and makes it harder to water and feed each plant properly.

Can I keep it lower than 2.2m?

Yes. Two light trims a year hold it comfortably at 1.2m to 1.5m without leaving bare patches at the base.

Will it flower in full sun?

Yes, and better than in shade. Sasanqua camellias are the sun tolerant group, though in hot dry inland districts afternoon shade will keep the flowers looking fresh for longer.