Potted: Camellia sasanqua

Photo - Linda Ross

What's the best camellia for pots?

Cooler weather launches camellia season, starting with Camellia sasanqua. 

These are perfect for pots on sunny balconies and terraces. ‘Shishi Gashira’ is a semi-double, bright rose pink flower about 7cm across. Flowers start in March and continue until mid-June. Other pink options include ‘Lucinda’, ‘Marge Miller’ and ‘Otome’. Prefer white flowers? Try ‘Snow’, ‘Silver Dollar’ or ‘Mine No Yuki’. For reds, look for ‘Dwarf Shishi’, ‘Simply Red’ or ‘Yuletide’. Sasanquas have shallow root systems so are suited to wide shallow pots. We use 80cm wide waterlily pots. Mulch thinly with pebbles or stones to lock in soil moisture and feed in spring and summer. 

Where to buy: All of these camellias are available from Camellia Grove Nursery.

Text: Linda Ross 

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