- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 3m
Camellia sasanqua ‘Julie Anne’ is an evergreen shrub with a naturally dense, upright frame and small polished dark leaves. Soft pink flowers with a light fragrance open in succession from autumn through winter. The tight branching from the base is what makes it one of the standard hedging sasanquas.
Full sun to part shade, a rich well drained acidic soil, and consistent water for the first couple of summers is all it asks. Annual growth of 30 to 60 centimetres brings it to about 2.5 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. It handles light to moderate frost once settled.
This is a hedging and screening plant first. It goes along fence lines, between neighbouring properties, as a green wall behind a garden bed, or clipped into a low formal edge. Because it branches to ground level, it screens properly at eye height instead of going leggy underneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Julie Anne Camellia
What is Camellia sasanqua ‘Julie Anne’?
An evergreen flowering shrub in the tea family, selected for dense upright growth and lightly perfumed soft pink flowers through autumn and winter. It is one of the most widely planted sasanquas for hedging in Australia because it holds foliage right to the ground rather than thinning at the base.
How fast does it grow?
It puts on 30 to 60 centimetres a year once the roots are established, which is moderate. The first year after planting is mostly root growth with little visible height, then the rate picks up. Regular water and a spring feed make a real difference to how quickly a hedge closes.
Is it suitable for coastal positions?
It grows well in coastal gardens set back from the front line, where it gets some shelter from salt laden wind. Direct exposure to salt spray burns the leaf margins. In those situations plant it behind a hardier windbreak such as a westringia or a coastal rosemary.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
Cool and warm temperate zones suit it best, which covers Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and the southern Queensland ranges. It also does well in Perth given summer water. In the humid tropics the flowers mark quickly in the wet and it is a less obvious choice there.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?
One metre apart is the standard spacing for a screening hedge and gives a solid face within about three seasons. Drop to 75 centimetres if you want closure sooner, or open out to 1.5 metres for individual shrubs that touch but keep their own outline.
Does it have invasive roots?
No. Camellias have a fibrous, relatively shallow and non aggressive root system, so they are safe to plant near paths, paving and small garden structures. Keep the usual sensible distance from house footings and sewer lines, but this is not a plant that lifts pavers or blocks pipes.
How do I care for Julie Anne Camellia?
Mulch to keep the shallow roots cool and moist, water deeply rather than often, and feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering. Prune the whole hedge in late winter once flowering stops, and give a light tidy in summer if it is a formal shape. Avoid lime near the roots.
