Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Rose of Autumn Camellia is the earliest variety to flower in late autumn, just as most trees and shrubs are going dormant for the year. The glowing pink flowers are loosely double-petaled and very long-lasting. The deep green foliage is extra glossy and nicely sets off other flowering shrubs and perennials all year long. Camellia sasanqua is reliably hardy in USDA zones 7-9 and may overwinter in zone 6 with plenty of protection from harsh winter winds and extreme cold snaps.
The slightly smaller flowers have great resistance to powdery mildew while the foliage rarely experiences leaf scotch or blight diseases. Rose of Autumn has an upright growth habit that requires minimal pruning and is quick to reach its mature height in only a few seasons. Deer and rabbits rarely, if ever, browse Camellias due to their thick leaves and woody branches. Grow this Camellia as a specimen shrub in a winter garden where its evergreen foliage can shine or add it to a flowering hedge to extend the season of color well into late fall.
Rose of Autumn Camellia Care
Camellias are extremely low maintenance when planted in the right location. Partial shade is ideal to protect the thick glossy leaves from sunburn. Provide shade during the mid-day in warm climates. This shrub prefers rich, acidic soil. Fertilize your Camellia annually late in the summer as the flower buds swell. Regular watering is necessary until the shrub is established and then usually only during prolonged periods of drought.
Deadhead Camellias after flowering has finished by carefully snapping off the spent flowers. Be careful to not disturb any developing leaf or flower buds. Prune camellias for shape in the late winter, as this shrub blooms on current season growth late in the summer. Pruning too late in the summer will result in less or no flowers for the fall and winter.
Rose of Autumn Camellia Spacing
Rose of Autumn will reach an overall height of 6-8 feet with a narrow width of 4-6 feet. Space plants 4 feet apart when planting for a hedge. Otherwise, 5 feet apart, center on center, between other shrubs and perennials will provide plenty of airflow.
Rose of Autumn Camellia Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 6 to 10 (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
- Partial Sun (5-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-6 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink
- Bloom Time
- Fall to Winter
- 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
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, 4 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Rose of Autumn Camellia
- Also Known As
- Sasanqua camellia
- Botanical Name
- Camellia sasanqua 'Rose of Autumn'
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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.
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