- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 3m
Camellia sasanqua ‘Simply Red’ is an evergreen shrub grown for deep red single to semi-double flowers held against small, dark, glossy leaves. Red is uncommon among sasanquas, and the colour reads strongly from a distance. The habit is upright and well branched, filling in densely from the base upwards.
Morning sun brings out the best flower colour, with shelter from harsh afternoon sun to stop the red bleaching. It wants acidic, free draining soil and steady moisture. Growth runs 20 to 50 centimetres a year. Established plants take light to moderate frost, and cope with coastal wind if not fully salt exposed.
It suits hedging and screening where a plain green wall would be dull, and works as a single accent against pale rendered walls or light paving. Landscapers use it in courtyards, entry beds and narrow side gardens. The value is a hard working screening shrub that also carries strong winter colour.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Simply Red Camellia
What is Camellia sasanqua ‘Simply Red’?
A red flowering sasanqua camellia, evergreen, from the Theaceae family. The flowers are single to semi-double in a clear deep red with visible gold stamens, opening in autumn and continuing into winter. The plant itself is a dense upright shrub with small glossy leaves, commonly used for hedging as well as feature planting.
How big does Simply Red grow?
It reaches roughly 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide when left to grow naturally. Pruned as a hedge it holds neatly at 1.5 to 2 metres, and it can be kept lower with more frequent trimming. In a large pot it will stay smaller again, closer to 1.5 metres.
How fast does it grow?
Around 20 to 50 centimetres a year once established, which is moderate. Growth is strongest through spring and early summer after flowering has finished. The rate depends heavily on water and soil: a plant in enriched, mulched, moist ground will sit at the top of that range, while one in dry clay will crawl.
When does it flower?
Autumn and winter, broadly March to July, with the peak usually in April and May. Cooler gardens run later than warm ones. Sasanqua flowers are lighter and more fleeting individually than japonica flowers, but they come in such quantity and over such a long stretch that the display holds up.
Is it suitable for coastal gardens?
Yes, in second line coastal positions with some shelter. Sasanquas handle salt laden wind better than most camellias, and the small leathery leaves resist burning. Direct frontal exposure to salt spray on an open beach is too much. Behind a fence, a wall or a tougher windbreak they perform well.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot at least 50 centimetres wide with an acid loving potting mix and reliable drainage. Water regularly through summer, as pots dry far faster than garden beds, and feed with a controlled release camellia fertiliser in spring. Expect a smaller plant than one in the ground, and repot every few years.
How do I care for Simply Red?
Feed after flowering with a camellia and azalea fertiliser, mulch to about 75 millimetres keeping it clear of the trunk, and water deeply through summer while next season's buds are forming. Prune immediately after the last flowers fall. If leaves yellow between green veins, apply iron chelates and check the soil pH.
