Japanese camellia vs Sasanqua camellia
The two camellias of southern gardens, and they flower at opposite ends of winter. Sasanqua camellia flowers from autumn into early winter, with smaller leaves and smaller, looser, lightly scented flowers; it grows faster and takes more sun, which makes it the one for an informal hedge. Japanese camellia flowers from late winter into spring, with larger, more formal flowers and bigger, glossier leaves, and wants shade at midday. Grow both and there are camellias in flower from October to April.
 Japanese camelliaCamellia japonica |  Sasanqua camelliaCamellia sasanqua | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 10 ft tall, 6½ ft wide | 8 ft tall, 6½ ft wide |
| Plant | 6 ft apart | 5 ft apart |
| Zones | 7 to 9 | 7 to 9 |
| Light | Part sun to part shade | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Evenly moist, rich fertility | Evenly moist, rich fertility |
| Flowers | Early February to early April; red, pink, white | Early October to mid December; pink, white, red |
| Leaves | Medium, evergreen | Medium, evergreen |
| Job in a bed | Anchor | Anchor |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | Resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose sasanqua camellia for dry summers.
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What sasanqua camellia brings beside Japanese camellia: carries the spot on into mid December; happy in the same moist soil. They share part sun and part shade and zones 7 to 9.
Read more: all about Japanese camellia, and all about sasanqua camellia, each with a bed the planner designed around it.