October Magic Orchid Camellia

Light Needs

Part Shade to Full Sun

(3+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

4-5 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

7 to 9

October Magic Orchid Camellia packs its fall display into a compact, upright shrub with masses of small semi-double flowers. The white-to-blush petals are brushed with orchid-pink tones, giving the blooms a delicate layered look against glossy dark green foliage. Camellia sasanqua 'Green 94-035' matures about 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, a practical size for hedges, borders, and containers. Our landscape designers often use this camellia in tighter foundation spaces because the conical habit adds height while staying neatly scaled.

This sasanqua camellia flowers in fall to early winter, extending color after many garden shrubs have finished. October Magic Orchid Camellia is evergreen in Zones 7-9 and is hardy to about 0°F to 10°F when planted in a protected site. Its compact form works well as an accent, low privacy planting, espalier, mass planting, or container specimen near patios and entries. The small blooms appear in heavy numbers, and the dark foliage gives the plant a finished look through winter.

October Magic Orchid Camellia Care

Plant October Magic Orchid Camellia in full sun to part shade, with morning sun or filtered light giving the best balance of flowers and foliage quality. Protect it from direct afternoon sun, especially in hot climates or reflected heat near pavement. Grow it in moist, well-drained, organically rich acidic soil with a pH ideally between 5.0 to 6.5.

Water new plants deeply during the first growing season, keeping the soil evenly moist while roots spread. Established plants need less water, though fall buds can drop when soil swings from dry to wet too quickly. Fertilize yearly in late spring with an acid-loving plant fertilizer, after the main growth cycle begins. Mulch with pine bark or shredded leaves to cool the root zone and reduce moisture loss.

Prune October Magic Orchid Camellia after flowering or in early spring before the first flush of new growth. Shape lightly to refine the cone form, remove crossing branches, or train the shrub flat against a wall as espalier. In climates colder than Zone 7, grow it in a large container and move the pot to a protected, cool space before hard freezes.

October Magic Orchid Camellia Spacing

Space October Magic Orchid Camellia 3 to 4 feet apart for a solid hedge, or 8 feet apart when using it as a specimen with room around the canopy. For containers, choose a pot at least 20 inches wide with drainage holes and an acidic bark-based potting mix. Container plants need steady moisture checks during summer and again while fall buds are forming.

October Magic Orchid Camellia grows nicely with sweetspire, fothergilla, sedge, or coral bells in acidic beds with filtered light and well-drained soil. Japanese forest grass can line the front of a woodland border, adding fine foliage texture below the camellia’s glossy leaves. In containers, pansies, primrose, or lungwort can share cool-season moisture and add lower color around the base.

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