- Mature height
- 3m to 5m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia sasanqua ‘Plantation Pink’ is an evergreen flowering shrub from the family Theaceae, grown for single shell-pink flowers held against small glossy dark green leaves. It builds a dense upright frame with slightly arching outer growth, and the blooms open in waves from mid autumn into winter.
Morning sun with afternoon shelter suits it best, though it will take full sun in cooler districts once the root system has spread. Give it free-draining, slightly acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. It grows 30 to 60 centimetres a year, handles light to moderate frost once established, and needs steady summer water.
Its density and pace make it a practical hedging and screening plant for boundaries, courtyards and privacy planting, and it clips cleanly into a formal line. Single specimens hold their own in a mixed border or against a wall. For a buyer, it delivers year round cover plus flower in the quiet months.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Plantation Pink Camellia
What is Camellia sasanqua ‘Plantation Pink’?
It is a cultivar of the Japanese sasanqua camellia, an evergreen shrub in the Theaceae family. ‘Plantation Pink’ carries single shell-pink flowers with a boss of gold stamens, set against small glossy leaves. It is one of the more vigorous sasanquas, forming a dense upright bush that takes clipping well and flowers from autumn into winter.
How big does Plantation Pink Camellia grow?
Left unpruned in the ground it reaches roughly 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide over many years. Most gardeners keep it well under that. Trimmed as a hedge it sits comfortably at 1.5 to 2.5 metres, and regular tip pruning holds the width to around a metre.
How fast does it grow?
Expect about 30 to 60 centimetres of growth a year once the plant is settled, which is quick for a camellia. Growth is fastest in the warm months with regular water and an annual feed. Young plants put their energy into roots first, so the visible push usually comes in the second season.
When does it flower?
Flowering runs through autumn and winter, generally from March to July depending on where you are. Warmer districts often see the first buds open in late March, while cooler areas start later and carry on longer. The display comes in flushes rather than all at once, so there is colour over several months.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?
Space plants 80 centimetres to 1 metre apart for a solid hedge. Closer spacing at 70 centimetres will knit together sooner if you want cover quickly, though the plants compete more for water. For an informal screen where you want each shrub to keep its own shape, allow 1.2 to 1.5 metres.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes, once established it handles light to moderate frost without damage. New spring growth is the vulnerable part, and a heavy late frost can burn soft tips. In frost prone gardens, plant where morning sun does not strike frozen foliage directly, and keep young plants mulched through their first two winters.
How do I care for Plantation Pink Camellia?
Mulch well, keep the water up through summer, and feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering finishes. Prune straight after the last flowers drop so the plant has time to set buds for the next season. Watch for scale on shaded interior branches. Beyond that it asks very little.
