John Rickard
Family
Theaceae
Botanical Name
CAMELLIA sasanqua 'Setsugekka'
Plant Common Name
Camellia, Sasanqua , Setsugekka Sasanqua
General Description
Warm days, cool nights - fall and it’s time to look for the colorful blooming jewels of Camellia sasanqua. These evergreen shrubs don’t get as much attention as their more popular cousin, the large-flowered common Japanese camellia, but they should. Native to Japan, sasanquas, as they are known to garden enthusiasts, have a long history of use for tea, oil and ornament.
The cultivar ‘Setsugekka’ is a very popular selection. It has glossy, thin but leathery, elliptical, dark green leaves with toothed margins. This medium-sized shrub has an upright to spreading habit. Large, semi-double, bright-white flowers with numerous gold stamens appear early in the season, from fall to midwinter. What these blooms lack in size compared to common camellias, they make up for in numbers. It is not uncommon to see plants covered in blooms with many buds yet to open.
SSasanquas prefer partial shade, but established, well watered specimens will tolerate full sun. The soil should be moist, acidic, and well-drained. These notoriously slow-growing, shallow-rooted shrubs benefit from a thick layer of organic mulch to protect the roots. Regular irrigation when dry and applications of fertilizer promote good growth and flowering. Prune after flowering and just before growth starts in the spring, but only lightly, as they do not recover well from harsh pruning.
Cold sensitive, but hardier than common camellias, sasanquas work best in locations where temperatures don’t stay well below freezing for any length of time. Use Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’ in hedges or mixed borders or as a featured specimen. It also makes a good container plant.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 9
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
8'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m
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Width
8'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Fall, Late Fall, Early Winter, Winter
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Native To
Japan
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Gold
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Fruit Color
Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Tan, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Semi-Double
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
