Caring for the autumn-blooming camellia properly – this is what the pretty shrub needs

The camellia is without question one of the most popular flowers, because it captivates with beautiful flowers. It usually has its flowering time in late winter or spring, but there are also varieties that impress with their blooming splendor as early as autumn. One such autumn-blooming camellia is the Sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua). Today we are going to introduce you to this magnificent specimen and explain what the plant needs in order to feel good.

Autumn flowering camellia – interesting facts about beauty

Where does the Sasanqua camellia come from??

The autumn-blooming camellia also comes from southern Japan and China, i.e. the Far East. There the plant prefers mountain slopes, where it forms entire thickets and adorns them with their dreamlike flowers.

Properties of the plant

That the blossoms are gorgeous, as we have already mentioned. They grow up to 7 cm tall and, as the name suggests, appear in autumn. So expect this camellia to bloom between September and November. The colors range from white to pink to red and also exude a gentle, but at the same time distinctive scent. Although the plant is generally very profuse, the individual camellia flower is not particularly long-lived in and of itself. Visually, the flowers can not only differ in their color. There are also simple, semi-double and double flowers, but they are all round and symmetrical in shape.

the leaves are oval-shaped and leathery, have a strong green color and a shiny top and are about 5 cm tall. The serrated edge and the tapering shape are also characteristic.

After flowering, small ones emerge fruit with a size of 3 cm, which are colored green to red. This is where the seeds develop, the oil of which is very popular. It is not only used in cosmetics, but is also used in the kitchen.

The autumn flowering camellia is an ornamental shrub, one height of up to 5 meters. Your individual twigs and branches are rather delicate and fine and hang over elegantly, so that the shrub is a real eye-catcher in every respect. The young shoots are also often used to make tea.

Autumn flowering camellia – location and care

Obviously, when you buy an autumn camellia, you need to find the right one too Location care that suits their needs. Which one is it? Although the modern varieties are less sensitive to cold, you should make sure that the plant gets a place in the garden that protects it from the wind and also from the winter sun. Inquire about the selected variety in the tree nursery or in the garden center – some need a cool winter quarters such as a partially shaded winter garden, others a thick layer of mulch is sufficient and a thermal fleece at temperatures below minus 10 degrees. So that the autumn camellia can produce many flowers, it needs a sunny location in summer, but where it is protected from the strong midday sun.

Of the floor should be slightly acidic and rich in humus. To do this, you can prepare the soil before planting the camellia. Dig the hole and mix the soil with special rhododendron soil. Place the autumn-blooming camellia in the intended planting hole and fill in with the earth.

How to care for your piece of jewelry

to water Take the autumn-blooming camellia regularly, but make sure that there is no waterlogging. This quickly leads to root rot and mold formation, which damages the plant and causes it to die. The water should also not be too hard. Rainwater is best. The Fertilization take place. You can fertilize your camellia from late spring to late summer.

You can use the autumn blooming camellia as needed cut. By and large, regular pruning is unnecessary, but you’re welcome to trim long shoots after flowering. You can also remove wild shoots. Larger pruning should only be done on older plants, and even then you shouldn’t overdo it. It is best to do such prunings only every few years and only on small parts of the shoots.

Like most plants, the autumn flowering camellia can of course also grow from Diseases and pests be infested. Scale insects, thrips, weevils, but also camellia plague and other fungal diseases can damage and weaken your plant. It is important to identify and treat these in good time.