Our Southern fall and winter landscapes come alive with the beautiful flowers of sasanqua camellias as their vibrant blooms add charm from October through December.

These versatile shrubs are a timeless choice for seasonal interest, offering dazzling flowers and year-round evergreen foliage. Let’s take a closer look at some standout varieties and how to care for them to ensure their success in your landscape.

One of my favorites, Shishi Gashira, has a mounding habit and profusion of bright pink, semi-double blooms. Each flower features slightly ruffled petals and a warm golden-yellow center. They exude a soft yet lively appeal.

This camellia’s abundant flowers, coupled with its glossy, deep green leaves, make it a perfect choice for borders, ground covers or even container plantings.

Yuletide camellia is a beloved classic known for its bright red flowers that have cheerful golden-yellow centers. This makes it a festive highlight in holiday landscapes.

Blooming from late fall to early winter, Yuletide has medium-sized, single-petaled flowers that are typically 2 to 3 inches across. These bright blooms create a striking contrast to the dark green, glossy foliage. Its compact, upright form adds structure and elegance, whether used as a specimen plant or in groupings to anchor garden beds.

If you are looking for a romantic touch, I recommend the variety Chansonette. This camellia has rose-pink, semi-double blooms. The layers of ruffled petals lend the flowers a peony-like delicacy, creating a soft, elegant effect.

This variety is particularly striking when it is planted in mixed borders or allowed to cascade over low walls. Its deep green, evergreen foliage provides an attractive backdrop year-round.

To keep sasanqua camellias healthy and thriving, plant them in locations with partial shade, especially in hotter climates. While they can tolerate more sun than Camellia japonica, excessive direct sunlight can scorch their leaves.

Choose well-drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, for best results. If your soil is alkaline, a soil acidifier can help create the ideal growing conditions.

Water camellias regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging, as camellias dislike overly saturated roots.

Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and suppress weeds. I like to use pine straw as a mulch around my camellias. Make sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunks to prevent rot.

I fertilize my camellias in early spring after the blooming season using a balanced, acid-forming fertilizer formulated for camellias. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can harm the plant.

Prune immediately after flowering to shape the plant. Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches, which will ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms for the next season.

With proper care, sasanqua camellias will reward you with spectacular fall and winter flowers and lush evergreen foliage that enhances your landscape all year long. Their diverse forms, vibrant blooms and low-maintenance requirements make them a must-have for Southern landscapes.