- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 2.5m
Camellia sasanqua ‘Egao’ is an evergreen shrub carrying unusually large single to semi double flowers in a clear rose pink, each one up to 10 centimetres across. The foliage is glossy and mid green, the habit upright and dense. It is a hiemalis type, grown and sold within the sasanqua group.
A position in full sun to part shade suits it, with morning sun and afternoon shelter giving the best flower quality in hot inland districts. It wants a well drained acidic soil and regular water while establishing, then copes with dry spells. New growth extends 30 to 60 centimetres each year.
The large flowers make it a better feature plant than a background hedge, so it tends to go near a doorway, beside a path, or in a glazed pot on a courtyard. It also trains neatly against a wall. Choose it where the flowers will actually be seen at close range.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Egao Camellia
What is Camellia sasanqua ‘Egao’?
An evergreen flowering shrub known for large rose pink blooms up to 10 centimetres across, produced through autumn and winter. Botanically it belongs with the Camellia hiemalis group rather than true sasanqua, though the nursery trade lists it as a sasanqua. Culture and hardiness are the same either way.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. In cool and coastal gardens it flowers heavily in full sun. Inland and in hot western positions, give it morning sun with shade from about two in the afternoon, otherwise the large petals scorch at the edges and the display is shorter.
How big does Egao Camellia grow?
Around 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide when left to grow naturally. It is easily kept smaller with an annual trim after flowering, and many gardeners hold it at chest height as a feature shrub. Container plants stay well under 2 metres.
When does it flower?
From autumn into winter, generally April through to July. Egao is one of the earlier flowering camellias and often opens its first buds while the weather is still mild. The blooms are large and single to semi double, so the display reads from a distance despite the short life of each flower.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, and it does well in one. Use a pot at least 50 centimetres wide with a free draining acidic potting mix. Water more often than you would a garden plant, particularly through summer, and repot or root prune every three to four years. Feed after flowering finishes.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen. It holds its glossy foliage right through the year, which is why it is used for screening as well as flower. There is a modest leaf drop in spring as the plant pushes new growth, which is normal and brief rather than a sign of stress.
How do I prune and care for Egao?
Prune immediately after the last flowers fall in late winter, taking up to a third off if you want to reduce size. Mulch well, keep water up over summer, and apply a camellia and azalea fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer. Yellowing leaves usually mean the soil is too alkaline.
