- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 3m
Camellia sasanqua ‘Silver Dollar’ is an evergreen shrub carrying large, rounded white flowers that sit almost flat against dark glossy foliage. The flower size is what sets it apart from other white sasanquas. Growth is upright and dense, and the plant holds its leaves to the ground when grown in reasonable light.
It performs best in morning sun with protection from hot afternoons, in acidic, well drained soil enriched with compost. Annual growth of 20 to 50 centimetres makes it moderately paced and easy to keep in bounds. It handles light to moderate frost once established, and tolerates short dry spells but not extended drought.
The upright habit suits clipped hedges, screening along a fence line, and espalier against a wall or trellis where the branches can be tied flat. It also works as a single feature near an entry. For a buyer wanting privacy with flowers rather than plain green, it covers both jobs at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Silver Dollar Camellia
What is Camellia sasanqua ‘Silver Dollar’?
It is a white flowering cultivar of the sasanqua camellia, an evergreen shrub in the Theaceae family originally from Japan. ‘Silver Dollar’ is grown for its unusually large white blooms and its dense, upright habit. It is not an Australian native, but it has been in Australian gardens long enough to be thoroughly proven here.
How big does Silver Dollar grow?
In open ground it reaches about 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. As a trimmed hedge it is easily maintained at 1.5 to 2 metres, and espaliered against a wall it can be held to well under half a metre deep. It takes many years to reach full size.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen. It holds its glossy dark leaves through every season, which is the reason it is used so often for screening. Some older leaves yellow and drop in spring as new growth pushes through, but the plant is never bare. Flowering happens on top of that permanent foliage cover in autumn and winter.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
It suits cool temperate, warm temperate and subtropical gardens, so most of the southern and eastern seaboard including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and coastal Queensland. It struggles in arid inland heat and in tropical areas with a long wet season. Alkaline soils need amending with compost and an acidifying fertiliser.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?
Plant at 80 centimetres to 1 metre apart for a hedge that closes within a few seasons. Tighter spacing of 60 to 70 centimetres gives faster cover at the cost of more competition below ground. For espalier along a wall, space at 1.5 metres and train the laterals sideways to meet.
Does it have invasive roots?
No. Camellias have a fibrous, relatively shallow root system that stays close to the plant and does not chase drains or lift paving. That makes them safe near paths, fences and small courtyards. The flip side is that shallow roots dry out quickly, so mulch is important and cultivation underneath should be avoided.
How do I care for a Silver Dollar camellia?
Keep the root zone mulched, water deeply during dry spells, and feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser once flowering finishes. Prune at the same time, since flower buds for the next season form over summer. Yellowing leaves with green veins usually mean the soil is too alkaline and needs correcting.
