- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 3m
Camellia sasanqua 'Waltz Time' is an evergreen flowering shrub with a dense, upright and rounded habit. Semi-double soft pink flowers open through autumn and winter, sitting against small, glossy dark green leaves. The branching is fine and even, so the plant holds its shape and carries foliage right down to the ground.
It grows in full sun to part shade in rich, free-draining soil, and puts on about 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Sasanquas take more sun and wind than japonicas. Once established it handles light to moderate frost, and it suits cool temperate, warm temperate and subtropical coastal gardens.
Most plantings are hedges, screens and boundary lines, where the dense growth clips well and still flowers freely. It also works as a courtyard specimen, espaliered against a warm wall, or in a pot near an entry. For a flowering evergreen hedge that stays tidy, it is a dependable choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Waltz Time Camellia
How big does Waltz Time Camellia grow?
Left unpruned it reaches about 2.5 to 4 metres tall and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide over many years. Most hedges are held at 1.5 to 2 metres with an annual trim. Growth is around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it fills out steadily rather than racing away.
When does it flower?
Flowering runs through autumn and winter, roughly March to August, with the heaviest display in the first half of that window. The semi-double blooms are soft pink and open in flushes rather than all at once, so colour carries for months. Spent flowers drop cleanly rather than browning on the bush.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun to partial shade both work. Sasanqua camellias take considerably more direct sun than japonicas, and full sun generally gives the heaviest flowering and the densest growth. In hot inland gardens, shelter from harsh afternoon sun keeps the foliage a better colour. Avoid deep shade, where growth thins and flowering drops away.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes. Once established it handles light to moderate frost without damage. Young plants in their first winter are more vulnerable, so mulch the root zone and water before a cold, clear night. Open flowers can brown at the edges after a heavy frost, but the plant itself and the following flush are unaffected.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?
For a dense screen, plant 80 centimetres to 1 metre apart. A tighter formal hedge is usually planted at 60 to 80 centimetres, which closes over faster and reads as one continuous line sooner. Single feature plants need about 1.5 metres of clear space to develop their natural rounded shape.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes. It takes well to a large pot, ideally 50 centimetres or wider, in a quality mix formulated for camellias and azaleas. Container plants need watering more often through summer and a slow release fertiliser once flowering finishes. Repot or root prune every three to four years to keep growth and flowering strong.
How do I care for Waltz Time Camellia?
Mulch to keep the roots cool, water deeply through dry spells, and feed with a camellia or azalea fertiliser after flowering ends in late winter. Prune straight after flowering so the next season's buds are not removed. A light trim once a year keeps a hedge tight, and established plants ask for little else.
