There’s a good reason you’ve probably heard of the camellia flower. While native to Asia, the Camellia japonica hails as Alabama’s state flower and is praised for its large, vibrant blossoms. In general, camellias thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow into a small tree or large shrub reaching as high as 66 feet.
The most popular type of camellias we use belong to the sasanqua genus known for its thick leaves and serrated edges. Their scented blooms range in color from rose to deep red. Read more below about the three cultivars of Camellia sasanqua most often seen in Blackjack landscapes.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Mine-No-Yuki’
- Medium-sized evergreen shrub
- Blooms from October – January
- Snow-white blossom color
- Grows 6-8 feet tall and wide
- Requires full sun to part shade
- Grows best in acidic and well-drained soils
Camellia sasanqua ‘Shishigashira’
- Medium-sized evergreen shrub
- Blooms from October – March
- Rosy-pink blossom color
- Grows 4-5 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide
- Requires full sun to part shade
- Grows best in acidic and well-drained soils
Camellia sasanqua ‘Leslie Ann’
- Medium-sized evergreen shrub
- Blooms from late November – April
- White blossom color with raspberry pink edges
- Grows 10-12 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide
- Requires full sun to part shade
- Grows best in acidic and well-drained soils
Sources: Gardenia, Woodlanders, LSU AgCenter, Soft Schools