October Magic White Shi Shi Camellia

Light Needs

Part Shade to Full Sun

(4+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

7 to 9

Like the Shi Shi Gashira Camellia Sasanqua, with its peony like dazzling pink blooms, White Shi Shi Camellia is a compact shrub, only growing about four feet tall and wide. It blooms in October through January in its hardiness zones, and can be grown in colder climates in a container with some indoor winter protection. Luminescent fully double 3 inch white blooms cover the glossy green foliage, lasting about a week before another bud opens, providing an almost unending season of bloom until late winter. Other varieties bloom in January through to March, and still other varieties have a long bloom season from November until April. As always, check the hardiness zones listed to be sure you are able to successfully grow these lovely shrubs.

Native to China and Japan, this is a high altitude shrub, with a hardiness from 0 - 10 degrees Fahrenheit for the low range of the zone, Zones 7a to 9b. White Shi Shi was a newer introduction in 2017, bred especially for an autumn bloom time, providing a beautiful complement to late winter to spring blooming camellias. First time camellia gardeners will want to try this smaller, more compact Sasanqua to get their feet wet in growing them. Chances are you will be hooked and this may become a lifelong passion for you, too.

October Magic White Shi Shi Camellia Care

Camellias need a well drained acidic soil with a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5. They tolerate a part sun to sun location, but need protection from the early morning and afternoon sun, especially in the hottest regions of their hardiness zone. They will tolerate even clay soils that are properly amended and that drain well. They are not drought tolerant, so when natural rainfall is less than one inch per week, you will want to supplement that by watering regularly to keep them evenly moist. Fertilize yearly in the spring with a well composted organic matter. Any other type of fertilizer can do more harm than good. If you have a location that is near a pine forest with dappled shade, this camellia will be very happy there. These lovely shrubs grow on the fringe of evergreen forest naturally, your job is to mimic this as best as you can in your landscape.

Deadheading blooms is not necessary as the blooms will fall off the shrub when spent. It may be heartbreaking to see them on the ground, but that one act guarantees that more than likely there are buds just waiting to open up above. Harvest nearly spent blooms a couple days before they drop and float them in a vase with water for a lovely centerpiece. Pruning should be done judiciously as you could be pruning off next season’s flowers. Prune only to shape and to remove any dead or damaged branches. Mulch root zone in winter to protect it from frost heaving in colder winter regions. Keep the mulch from the immediate trunk area to prevent critters from accessing the bark and water from pooling at the trunk.

October Magic White Shi Shi Camellia Spacing

Space your plants about 48 inches apart. You want good air circulation and to give them room to grow. Most camellias, when they meet another plant's branches, will stunt their growth on that side, creating an asymmetric shrub where it would have been rounded otherwise. Not a deal breaker, just looks better. If you haven’t tried camellias in your garden landscape, this is a great one for first timers as it is smaller in size and easier to handle. Warning: you may become hooked on growing camellias!

 

Find the Right Variety

Compare October Magic® Camellias

Compare flower color, growth habit, mature size, and the features that set each October Magic® Camellia apart.

Variety	Flowers	Habit	Mature Size	Why Choose It
October Magic® Dawn™ Camellia	Blended pink, rose-form	Dense & upright	4–6' H × 3–4' W	Japonica-like flower form during the fall season
October Magic® Ivory™ Camellia	Creamy white, fully double	Vigorous & upright	6–8' H × 5–7' W	Ruffled white flowers on a substantial upright shrub
October Magic® White Shi-Shi™ Camellia	Porcelain white, formal double	Bushy & spreading	3–4' H × 3–4' W	Low evergreen form with abundant white flowers
October Magic® Inspiration™ Camellia	White with magenta margins	Upright & bushy	6–8' H × 4–5' W	Large edged flowers plus maroon spring growth
October Magic® Orchid™ Camellia	White to blush with orchid-pink highlights	Compact & conical	4–5' H × 3–4' W	Heavy flowering with a narrow, versatile habit
October Magic® Ruby™ Camellia	Christmas red, fully double	Dense semi-dwarf	3–4' H × 4–5' W	Rich red flowers on a compact, glossy evergreen
October Magic® Bride™ Camellia	Pure white double	Compact & upright	4–5' H × 3–4' W	Profuse white blooms on a manageable upright plant
October Magic® Carpet™ Camellia	Frilled double pink	Low & spreading	3' H × 5' W	Spreading form for low borders and mass plantings
October Magic® Rose™ Camellia	Salmon-rose, very double	Upright & columnar	6–8' H × 3–4' W	Tall, narrow habit for screens and tight spaces
October Magic® Snow™ Camellia	October Magic White Shi Shi Camellia Plant Facts Growing Conditions Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones USDA Zones 7 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop) Sun Exposure Part Shade to Full Sun (4+ Hours Direct Sun) Mature Height 3-4 Feet Mature Spread 3-4 Feet Growth Habit , Mounded, Spreading Water Needs Average Flowers & Foliage Flower Colors , White Flower Description White Bloom Time Fall Blooms On Old Wood ? "Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune. New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms. Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms. Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms. When to Prune Right after flowering Foliage Color , Green Foliage Description Dark Green Foliage Type , Evergreen Seasonal Interest , Fall Flowering, Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest Garden Benefits AttractsBirds Butterflies ResistsDisease Pests & Insects ToleratesHeat SafetyKid Safe Pet Safe FeaturesPet Safe Attracts Pollinators Cut Flowers Low Maintenance Flowering Great ForBorders Mass Planting Hedges & Privacy Wildlife Gardens Container RoleThriller Plant Overview Common Name October Magic White Shi Shi Camellia Botanical Name Camellia sasanqua 'Green 02-004' PP27553 Brand Southern Living Plants Plant Type Shrub Simple Plant Spacing Calculator Planting Shape Rectangle Circle Known Area Length (ft) Width (ft) Diameter (ft) Or enter radius below Radius (ft) Known Area (sq ft) Plant Spacing On-Center (in) Pattern Square (grid) Triangular (staggered) Fill edge gaps (max plants) Enter area to see results. Visual Preview Print / Save PDF Powered by SKU: OMWCAM Container Sizes Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors. Quart Pot Also Known As: Quart Plant Age: ~ 6 months - 1 year Plant Size: ~ 4"-8" Pot Size: ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W Volume: 1.50 quarts 2.5 Quart Also Known As: 2.5 Quart Pot Plant Age: ~ 1 - 2 years old Plant Size: ~ 8"-12" Pot Size: ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W Volume: 2.20-2.30 quarts #1 Pot Also Known As: #1 Container 1 Gallon Plant Age: ~ 1 - 2 years old Plant Size: ~ 10"-14" Pot Size: ~ 7"H x 7.75"W Volume: 2.26-3.73 quarts #2 Pot Also Known As: #2 Container 2 Gallon Plant Age: ~ 1.5 - 3 years old Plant Size: ~ 12"-18" Pot Size: ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W Volume: 1.19-1.76 gallons #3 Pot Also Known As: #3 Container 3 Gallon Plant Age: ~ 2 - 4 years old Plant Size: ~ 12"-30" Pot Size: ~9.5"H x 11"W Volume: 2.32-2.76 gallons #5 Pot Also Known As: #5 Container 5 Gallon Plant Age: ~3-4 years old Plant Size: ~ 20" - 60" Pot Size: ~11" H x 10 1/2” W Volume: 3.5 - 4 gallons Learn more about container sizes. Best in Class Warranty We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind. Arrival Guarantee We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days. Free 1-Year Plant Warranty Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right. Learn more about our warranty Plants Shipping Now Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed. Shipping Destinations Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally. This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states. If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team! Close × October Magic White Shi Shi Camellia Related Categories ❮ ❯ Close × ! OK Cancel