- Mature height
- 2m to 4m (approx.)
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia sasanqua 'Plantation Pink' is an evergreen shrub with single, soft pink flowers and small glossy dark green leaves. Flowering begins in mid autumn and carries into winter, and the petals fall cleanly rather than browning on the bush. Growth is upright and dense, which is why it takes so well to hedging.
It handles more sun than a japonica camellia, from full sun through to part shade, in a well drained slightly acidic soil with organic matter worked in. Temperate and cool temperate gardens suit it, and light to moderate frost is fine. Growth is 20 to 40 centimetres a year. Water through dry spells while buds are forming.
Use it as a flowering hedge, a screen along a boundary, an espalier against a wall, or a single shrub in a shaded courtyard. It also takes well to a large pot. The autumn to winter flowering fills a gap in the year when most of the garden has already finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Plantation Pink Camellia
What is Camellia 'Plantation Pink'?
'Plantation Pink' is a well known sasanqua camellia, an evergreen shrub with single, soft pink flowers and small glossy dark green leaves. It is vigorous, dense and upright, and it clips well, which is why it is one of the most widely planted camellias for hedging and screening in Australian gardens.
How big does Plantation Pink grow?
Left to grow it reaches about 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide. As a clipped hedge it is usually held between 1.5 and 2.5 metres, and it espaliers neatly against a wall. Growth is 20 to 40 centimetres a year, so a hedge takes a few seasons to close up fully.
When does it flower?
Flowering starts in mid autumn and carries through into winter, roughly April to July, which is earlier than the japonica camellias. The single pink flowers open in succession over many weeks and drop cleanly rather than browning on the bush, so the plant stays tidy for the whole of the display.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?
For a dense informal screen plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a tighter formal hedge, 80 centimetres apart closes the line sooner and gives a flatter face. As a single courtyard specimen or in a pot, allow a container 40 to 50 centimetres wide and keep it clear of competing roots.
Will it grow in full sun?
Yes. Sasanqua camellias take considerably more sun than japonicas, and full sun gives the heaviest flowering and the densest growth. In hot inland gardens some protection from harsh afternoon light keeps the foliage from bronzing. It also performs well in part shade, simply with slightly fewer flowers over the season.
Can it be grown in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot at least 50 centimetres wide with a free draining, slightly acidic mix formulated for camellias and azaleas. Water regularly, since containers dry quickly and dry roots in autumn will cost you flower buds. Feed after flowering and again in late summer, and refresh the top of the mix each year.
How do I care for and prune Plantation Pink?
Prune straight after flowering finishes, before the new growth that carries next season's buds gets away. Hedges take shearing well and can be cut hard if they become woody. Feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering, mulch with a leafy compost, and keep water up through summer and autumn while buds set.