October Magic Camellia 1 to 11 of 11 total
October Magic Camellia 1 to 11 of 11 total
October Magic Camellia
Southern Living® Plant Collection
Fall Flowers. Evergreen Structure.
October Magic® Camellias bring the garden back into bloom just as much of the landscape is winding down. These compact-to-upright Camellia sasanqua selections combine glossy evergreen foliage with abundant fall flowers in white, blush, pink, ruby red, and multicolored forms.
A Camellia Collection Made for the Fall Garden
October Magic® Camellias are evergreen Camellia sasanqua selections from the Southern Living® Plant Collection. Their flower season arrives in fall, when many summer-flowering shrubs are finished, and their glossy foliage remains after the last petals drop. The series ranges from low, spreading plants to narrow upright shrubs suitable for hedges, screens, containers, and foundation plantings.
1
Flowers When Fall Arrives
White, blush, pink, ruby, and multicolored flowers open during the sasanqua camellia season, extending garden color well beyond the traditional summer display.
2
Evergreen After Bloom
Dense, glossy foliage gives these shrubs a second job after flowering ends. Use them where year-round screening, structure, or a polished foundation plant is needed.
3
More Than One Habit
Carpet spreads wider than it grows tall, White Shi-Shi stays low and rounded, and taller selections such as Rose, Inspiration, and Ivory add vertical structure.
Find the Right Variety
Compare October Magic® Camellias
Flower color is only part of the choice. Compare mature size and growth habit to find a camellia that fits the space you want to fill.
| Variety | Flowers | Mature Size | Habit | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October Magic® Carpet™ Camellia | Frilled double pink | 3' H × 5' W | Low & spreading | Wide, carpet-like habit for masses and low borders |
| October Magic® Snow™ Camellia | White with magenta-pink edging | 5–6' H × 5–6' W | Compact & mounded | Frilled flowers plus copper-russet spring growth |
| October Magic® Ruby™ Camellia | Christmas red, fully double | 3–4' H × 4–5' W | Dense semi-dwarf | Strong red color on a compact plant |
| October Magic® Rose™ Camellia | Deep rose-pink | 6–8' H × 3–4' W | Upright & columnar | Narrow footprint for taller hedges and screens |
| October Magic® Bride™ Camellia | Pure white double | 4–5' H × 3–4' W | Compact & upright | Profuse white flowering on a manageable plant |
| October Magic® Dawn™ Camellia | Soft blended pink, rose-form | 4–6' H × 3–4' W | Dense & upright | Japonica-like flower form during the fall season |
| October Magic® Inspiration™ Camellia | White with magenta margins | 6–8' H × 4–5' W | Upright & bushy | Large edged flowers and maroon spring growth |
| October Magic® Ivory™ Camellia | Creamy ivory white, fully double | 6–8' H × 5–7' W | Vigorous & upright | Large ruffled flowers on one of the biggest selections |
| October Magic® Orchid™ Camellia | White to blush with orchid-pink highlights | 4–5' H × 3–4' W | Compact & conical | Heavy flowering and a narrow, container-friendly habit |
| October Magic® Pink Perplexion™ Camellia | Soft multi-toned pink | 4–5' H × 4–5' W | Rounded semi-dwarf | Soft pink flowers reminiscent of Pink Perfection |
| October Magic® White Shi-Shi™ Camellia | Porcelain-white formal double | 3–4' H × 3–4' W | Bushy & spreading | Low evergreen form with abundant white flowers |
October Magic® Crimson 'N Clover™ and October Magic® Light Pink Shi Shi are newer introductions and are not currently offered by Plant Addicts.
See Them in the Landscape
October Magic® Camellias With Linda Vater
See how fall-blooming camellias add flowers, evergreen structure, and classic Southern character to the landscape. The featured garden includes October Magic® Bride™ and Orchid™.
October Magic® Camellia Quick Facts
Camellia Type
Camellia sasanqua
Growing Zones
Zones 7–9
Bloom Season
Fall to Early Winter
Foliage
Evergreen
Light
Part Shade to Sun
Soil
Acidic & Well Drained
Blooms On
Old Wood
Size Range
About 3–8 Feet Tall
October Magic® Camellia Care
Give Camellias the Conditions They Prefer
A well-chosen site reduces the amount of care these evergreen shrubs need and helps protect both foliage and flower buds.
Light
Morning Sun Works Well
Plant in part shade to sun. Morning light followed by afternoon protection is a strong choice in hot climates. Plants in cooler regions can handle more direct sun when soil moisture stays consistent.
Soil
Keep It Acidic & Draining
Camellias grow best in organically rich, acidic soil that holds moisture without remaining waterlogged. Poor drainage can lead to root problems.
Water
Avoid Big Moisture Swings
Water regularly during establishment and dry weather. Consistent moisture is especially important as flower buds develop, but the root zone should never remain saturated.
Mulch
Protect the Root Zone
Apply organic mulch over the root zone to slow moisture loss and moderate soil temperature. Keep mulch pulled back slightly from the base of the stems.
Fertilizer
Feed in Spring
Use a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving shrubs after flowering and as spring growth begins. Avoid heavy feeding, which can push excess foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning
Prune After Flowering
October Magic® Camellias flower on old wood. If shaping is needed, prune after the fall-to-winter flowering period and before vigorous spring growth begins so the plant has time to develop the wood that will carry the next crop of buds.
Protect Next Year's Flowers
Timing Matters More Than Heavy Pruning
Most October Magic® Camellias naturally develop dense, attractive forms and need little routine pruning. Remove dead or damaged branches whenever needed, but save major shaping for after flowering.
Camellias form the next flower crop on older growth. Pruning too late in the growing season can remove developing buds before they ever open.
For hedges and screens, selective shortening usually preserves a more natural form than repeated hard shearing.
Landscape Ideas
Use October Magic® Beyond the Specimen Shrub
Size and habit vary enough across the series to use these camellias as low borders, containers, upright accents, foundation plants, or evergreen screens.
Hedges & Living Screens
Evergreen foliage provides screening after flowering ends. Upright selections such as Rose, Inspiration, Dawn, and Ivory work well where height is part of the goal.
Foundation & Entry Plantings
Orchid's narrow conical habit fits comfortably near porches, trellises, entries, and other spaces where a broad shrub could become cumbersome.
Specimen Plantings
October Magic® White Shi-Shi™ works well as a stand-alone flowering shrub where its porcelain-white blooms and dense evergreen form can be viewed up close. Its compact habit also fits smaller beds and entry gardens.
Containers With Fall Texture
Ruby's red flowers pair well with fine-textured ornamental grasses. A generous container also lets gardeners enjoy camellias near patios and entries where their blooms can be viewed up close.
Container Gardening
Camellias Can Be Long-Term Container Shrubs
Compact October Magic® selections such as Carpet, Ruby, White Shi-Shi, Orchid, Bride, and Pink Perplexion work particularly well in a large patio container for evergreen structure.
Use a container with unrestricted drainage and an acidic potting mix formulated for camellias, azaleas, or other acid-loving shrubs. Container-grown plants dry faster than shrubs in the ground, so check moisture regularly.
In colder climates, containers need additional winter protection because roots in pots experience lower temperatures than roots insulated by garden soil.
Plant Size at Delivery
Container Size Is Not the Same as Mature Size
The mature dimensions in our comparison chart describe the established shrub in the landscape, not the size of the plant inside the shipping box.
Actual plant height at delivery varies with container size, season, age, recent pruning, and natural growth. Camellias continue developing their woody framework after planting and gradually fill their mature space.
Elegant Cut Flowers
A Few Camellia Blooms Go a Long Way
October Magic® flowers are easy to enjoy indoors because even short stems can be displayed effectively. Float individual blooms in shallow dishes or arrange several stems in small jars where the layered flowers can be viewed closely.
Cut flowers early in the day and select stems with newly opened blooms and additional buds. Keep arrangements away from direct heat to extend their display.
See Individual Varieties
October Magic® Camellias in Detail
See the flower form, foliage, and plant habit of three distinctive members of the collection.
October Magic® White Shi-Shi™
October Magic® Orchid™
October Magic® Ruby™
Why Shop With Us?
Why Buy October Magic® Camellias From Plant Addicts?
Compare multiple flower colors, plant sizes, and growth habits along with practical camellia care and purchase protection.
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Expert Plant Care
Find practical guides covering planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, containers, and common camellia problems.
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October Magic® Camellia FAQs
What are October Magic camellias?
October Magic® is a collection of fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua cultivars from the Southern Living® Plant Collection. The varieties differ in flower color, size, and growth habit but share glossy evergreen foliage and an autumn flower season.
When do October Magic camellias bloom?
October Magic® Camellias begin flowering in fall. Exact timing and duration vary by cultivar, climate, and weather, with some plants continuing to open flowers into early winter.
Are October Magic camellias evergreen?
Yes. October Magic® Camellias retain their glossy foliage through winter in their recommended growing zones, giving them year-round value as foundation plants, hedges, screens, and specimens.
Do October Magic camellias prefer sun or shade?
They grow in part shade to sun. Morning sun with some afternoon protection is particularly useful in hot climates. Plants grown in more sun need consistent soil moisture to protect the roots and foliage from stress.
What growing zones are October Magic camellias for?
The October Magic® Camellias currently offered by Plant Addicts are generally recommended for USDA Zones 7–9.
When should you prune an October Magic camellia?
Prune after flowering has finished and before strong spring growth begins. October Magic® Camellias bloom on old wood, so late pruning can remove stems that would otherwise produce the next season's flowers.
What soil do October Magic camellias need?
Grow them in acidic, organically rich soil with good drainage. Keep moisture reasonably consistent, but avoid sites where water collects around the roots.
Can October Magic camellias grow in containers?
Yes. Compact selections such as Ruby, White Shi-Shi, Carpet, Orchid, Bride, and Pink Perplexion can grow well in large containers with drainage holes and an acidic potting mix. Container plants require closer attention to watering and winter root protection.
Which October Magic camellia is smallest?
October Magic® Carpet™ reaches about 3 feet tall and spreads to about 5 feet. White Shi-Shi™ stays around 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Both are substantially lower than tall selections such as Rose, Inspiration, and Ivory.
Which October Magic camellia is best for a narrow hedge?
October Magic® Rose™ is one of the narrowest tall selections, reaching about 6 to 8 feet high but only 3 to 4 feet wide. Dawn™, Inspiration™, Bride™, and Orchid™ also have upright forms that can work well in tighter spaces.
Which October Magic camellia has red flowers?
October Magic® Ruby™ produces fully double, rich Christmas-red flowers against glossy olive-green foliage. It stays relatively compact at about 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide.
What is the difference between a sasanqua camellia and a japonica camellia?
Sasanqua camellias generally flower earlier, beginning in fall, and tend to tolerate more sun than many japonica types. Japonica camellias typically flower later in winter or spring and often produce larger, heavier flowers. October Magic® varieties are sasanqua camellias.
Can you cut October Magic camellia flowers for arrangements?
Yes. Camellia flowers can be displayed on short stems, arranged in small vases, or floated individually in shallow bowls. Cut newly opened flowers in cool morning temperatures for indoor use.
Where can I buy October Magic camellias?
Plant Addicts sells October Magic® Carpet™, Snow™, Ruby™, Rose™, Bride™, Dawn™, Inspiration™, Ivory™, Orchid™, Pink Perplexion™, and White Shi-Shi™ Camellias online. Plant sizes and availability vary during the year.
Find the Right October Magic® Camellia for Your Landscape
Choose Carpet or White Shi-Shi for a low spreading form, Ruby for compact red flowers, Orchid or Bride for narrower spaces and containers, Rose for an upright screen, or Inspiration and Ivory when a taller evergreen shrub fits the landscape.