Beautiful Sasanqua Camellias- Winter Flowers in Edmonds


Beautiful Sasanqua Camellias- Winter Flowers in Edmonds

Most gardeners find much beauty in the camelliaSetsugekka-close-up family.  The sasanqua camellias have a special place because they bloom when other trees and shrubs are finished blooming.

From late October to the end of winter flower lovers will enjoy them.

Apple-Blossom-Camellia

One of the first to bloom is sasanqua ‘Apple blossom’.  The white flowers touched with pink cover the bush.  They will survive light frosts, but a hard frost ends their blooming.
Kanjiro-Camellia

Red flowering ‘Kanjiro’ is another beautiful sasanqua.  As with other sasanquas placing it in a more protected spot such as against a wall, fence or hedge will help the camellia thrive. Kanjiro can be seen growing happily just south of the front entrance to North Sound Church at 404 Bell Street.

Setsugekka-Camellia

‘Setsugekka’ is white flowering and also comes out a bit later.  You can see an example at the south-side planting area of the main building at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. Its protected site helps the white flowers to thrive.
Yuletide-Camellia

Camellia ‘Yuletide’ blooms later.  The red blossoms with a bright yellow center start blooming near Thanksgiving and also bloom before and after Christmas.  When a hard frost arrives the blooms will die, but there is a saving grace.  Their unopened flowers will stay alive and give us a longer blooming time.

Camellias are not natives so be aware of their need for water in the summer or during dry spells. Those which are not blooming well may need a bit of acid fertilizer in March, May or July.

Camellias are not usually subject to a lot of diseases.  If given care in locating them and meeting their basic needs gardeners can expect to enjoy their beauty for many years.

Barbara Chase

Barbara Chase is a Master Gardener who serves on the City of Edmonds Citizens Tree Board.

Edmonds in Bloom is a nonprofit association that promotes the floral beautification of the community. Learn more about us and be sure to like our Facebook page for events and articles.