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Sasanqua
Last Updated: 08/19/2008
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 There are over 200 species of camellias known to exist in the world today. Many of these species are very obscure, and are not familiar to many camellia enthusiasts. This regular feature column in The Southeastern Camellia Digest is intended to aquaint the readers with many of these truly unique camellia species. In the western world, and particularly in the United States, there are two primary species of camellias that are grown by many camellia growers. The most popular and most recognized camellia species in this country is Camellia japonica. The second most popular camellia species in America is Camellia Sasanqua, and it is this fabulous landscape species that we turn our attention in this episode.
When it comes to recognizing camellias, many times this question is asked by the camellia novice: Is that variety a camellia or is it a Sasanqua? The truth of the matter is that all sasanquas are camellias, but certainly not all camellias are sasanquas. Sasanquas are a species of camellia that is very noteworthy for its fall blooming season with masses of flowers that are very similar in impact to the effect of Azaleas blooming in the spring. These exquisite shrubs have blooms that range from white to pink to red with various combinations and shades of these colors. In there native state, sasanuas are white, but over the years the colors have arisen through interspecific hybridization with members of the japonica species of camellias. These cross-pollinations with Camellia japonica are very rare, but once they have occurred, the resultant hybrids easily crossed back to the japonicas. Over a long period of natural pollinations by the birds and the bees, we have come up with a wide range of diverse camellias that we know as sasanquas. Even though they may technically be considered hybrids, they are looked upon in the camellia world as a separate species.
Why is it that Camellia Sasanqua has never reached the level of acceptance among camellia enthusiasts as that of Camellia japonica? There are several answers to this question that require some discussion. First, sasanquas are camellias with rather small flowers, particularly in comparisom with some japonicas. That old adage that bigger is better was most likely invented in the camellia world. For many years, camellia fanciers have generally found more favor with larger blooming varieties than those found in the Sasanqua species. Also, sasanquas tend to shatter when cut from the bush, therefore making them less of an exhibition flower than japonicas. It is very true that sasanquas will most likely never make prominence in the Camellia Show circuit, but the impactual significance of sananquas in the landscape cannot be over-emphasized.
Camellia Sasanqua has many varieties that perform well in areas of high sunlight. Having a landscape plant that not only grows well in sunny locations, but also, offers seasonal color is a valuable characteristic. Sasanquas usually bloom within a time period of September through December with each variety having its own unique blooming period within those months. Sasanquas generally have some fragrance that can be a welcome addition to their contribution to the landscape. Certain particular varieties of sasanquas will perform better in certain specific geographical locations. It would certainly be advantageous to consult your local camellia nurseries and extension service to determine the varieties of sasanquas that are best suited for your specific location.
Sasanquas fill many needs within the landscape. One of the best uses for Camellia Sasanqua is in creating vertical accent through espalier. Many varieties of sasanquas are well suited by their open spreading growth habit to make impressive statements within the vertical landscape on walls. Standard or ‘tree form’ is another area of landscape usage that many varieties of sasanquas are excellent for. Too many times in our modern landscapes, we over-use standards such as Ligustrum, when sasanquas could provide us with a better choice. Sasanquas have some varieties that are slow growing such as ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ and ‘Shishi Gashira’ that make welcome additions to low areas.
There are many different varieties of sasanquas that are grown today. As mentioned earlier, it is best to consult experts in your region to advise you on the ones that are best suited for your location. Below is a listing of some excellent varieties for the Savannah area which is where the Camellia Society of Southeast Georgia is located. A note of reference to the reader should be given. There are several classifications of camellias that are actually separate species, but in the camellia world are viewed as close cousins to sasanquas and are generally referred to as sasanquas. Varieties of Camellia hemalis and Camellia vernalis are widely viewed as sasanquas even though they are technically listed in their own classification. For the purpose of this article, any of these ‘sasanqua cousins’ will be listed as sasanquas.
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Cleopatra: This variety has medium rose pink flowers that are semi-double. This variety has been grown for many years in the Savannah area. It is excellent for shrubs and espalier usage.
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Cotton Candy: This variety is a good semi-double with ruffled petals. The clear pink bloom generally begins blooming in early October in Savannah. This plant makes an outstanding espalier or a good screening.
- Daydream: This variety has a white bloom with tinges of pink around the edges of the petals. It is a medium bloom that is single in formation. This variety is highly fragrant, and has vigorous growth. It makes a good screen plant in the landscape.
Jean May: This variety offers a vigorous bushy growth habit that makes it well suited for foundation shrubs in the landscape. The medium flowers are rose form double, and are of a striking shell pink color.
- Kanjiro: This variety is rose pink with a cast of silvering on the petals. The flower is semi-double and medium in size. This particular variety is regarded by many in the camellia world to be one of the most outstanding varieties because of its particularly high degree of disease resistance.
- Mine-No-Yuki: This variety is truly one of the best white sasanquas today. Its medium flowers are pure white and are semi-double to loose peony in form. This variety has a slow growth habit, so it makes an excellent addition to the landscape where size limitation is a consideration.
- Our Linda: This variety is extremely striking when in full bloom. The flowers are medium in size and are semi-double to rose form double. This plant makes a good espalier or shrub in the landscape.
- Shishi-Gashira: This variety is truly one of the best landscape camellias ever developed. The flower is small and has a semi-double to rose form double bloom. This variety has a slow growing nature, which makes it well suited for many areas in the landscape.
- Star Above Star: This variety is most likely a Sasanqua hybrid, but is absolutely striking as a flower as a plant. The blooms are semi-double with petaloids sometimes present. The color is white shading to lavender pink. This variety makes an excellent screening plant for the landscape.
- Yuletide: This variety has a small orange-red bloom that is semi-double in form. The growth characteristics of the plant are very compact and somewhat slow growing. This plant has many landscape possibilities.
Sasanquas have been the forgotten children of the camellia world for too many years. There contribution to the landscape can be breath-taking with their wide array of colorful blooms and beautiful dark green foliage. No one that loves camellias should be without some of these wonderful jewels in their landscape. As we continue to go ‘In Search of Species’, let us not to forget a species that is commonplace. Sasanquas are truly a species that we should rediscover and continue to plant in our urban forests.
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