Camellia Showdown: Sasanqua vs. Japonica

When winter comes around, you know it’s well and truly Camellia season. They really stand out in Australian gardens during winter, blooming with bright colours when most other plants aren’t active. It’s no wonder these are some of the most beloved winter plants.

At Diaco’s, we often hear from customers who want to know the difference between Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua. These are the two types of camellias you’ll see most often at nurseries or when shopping online. They are by far the most popular and widely cultivated camellias in Australia. And both types do well in the Melbourne climate. With their all-year-round green leaves and strong growing habit, these camellias are great for both new and experienced gardeners. In this guide, we’ll go through the characteristics and key differences of each.

Physical Attributes

The Sasanqua camellias have shiny, dark green leaves that are smaller than those of the japonica. They grow quickly and are perfect for making hedges or screens because they can be shaped easily. The flowers, appearing from late autumn through to spring, range from single, cup-shaped blooms to more ornate, loosely formed flowers with multiple petals. 

Camellia sasanqua offers a variety of stunning options for your garden. ‘Early Pearly‘ is known for its early blooming and large, pearly white flowers, adding a bright touch to any space. ‘Slimline’ features a slim, upright growth habit, making it ideal for narrow spaces where other plants might not fit. ‘Marge Miller,’ the first ground cover camellia, impresses with its double pink blooms that cascade over lush, glossy green foliage. It creates a vibrant carpet when planted en masse, perfect for covering large areas or draping over walls and garden edges.

Japonica camellias have bigger, glossy green leaves and a more rounded growth habit. They have a 200-year history of cultivation in Australia and are valued for their exquisite flowers and robust growth. Their flowers are generally smaller than those of the sasanqua and are unscented. They come in various forms, some with a neat, regular, symmetrical shape, and others that are more loose and irregular. This variety makes a fantastic hedge or feature shrub in the border and can also be grown in pots, which is ideal if your garden soil is more alkaline.

Camellia japonica variety also brings a range of stunning options for your garden. ‘Volunteer’ (a hybrid japonica) is celebrated for its large, semi-double blooms that vary from peach to pink, adding a soft, colourful touch. ‘Lovelight,’ known as one of the hardiest camellias, offers large white informal flowers and vigorous upright growth, blooming from mid-April to early September. ‘Desire’ features large, formal flowers that are white with pink edges and thrives in partial shade. With its compact yet vigorous bushy growth, it blooms from mid-April to mid-September and fits well in various garden settings. 

Sunlight Tolerance

The Camellia sasanqua is tolerant of direct sunlight, making it a great choice for sunny gardens. However, it also grows well in partial shade. On the other hand, Camellia japonica prefers cooler spots and thrives best in shade or partial sun, making it perfect for areas in your garden that don’t get too much direct sunlight.

Soil Conditions

When it comes to the garden bed, both types of camellias are like soil that drains well and is a bit acidic. This is similar to what azaleas and gardenias need. They absorb nutrition best from this type of acidic soil.

Blooming Season

Camellia sasanqua varieties are the first to flower, starting in late autumn. They bring colour to your garden when many other plants have stopped blooming.

Whereas the Japonica tend to flower in the winter and can keep blooming into spring. They keep your garden lively with colour when the sasanqua flowers begin to fade.

Skill Level

Both types of camellias are quite hardy and don’t require expert gardening skills. However, Camellia japonica generally requires a bit more care due to their slower growth rate and preference for cooler climates.

Exploring Other Camellia Varieties

Of course, sasanqua and japonica are not the only varieties that you can grow at home.

Reticulatas are really eye-catching with their big, bright flowers that come in colours from light pink to deep purple-red, and even stunning whites and pale mixed colours. These plants usually grow quite openly and a bit woody, but the newer types have better leaves that really show off the amazing flowers.

Hybrids are new types of camellias made by mixing different species. They are tough plants that can handle different weather and soil types. Hybrids bloom with colourful and sometimes sweet-smelling flowers. The people who create these hybrids choose parent plants carefully to get the best traits like lots of flowers, nice scents, small blooms, and strong growth. With new hybrids being made all the time, gardeners always have new, exciting options to choose from.

Wrapping Up

Here at Diaco’s, we know how great camellias are, especially when they brighten up our gardens in the cold months. We hope this guide highlights the key characteristics of the japonica and sasanqua varieties so you can pick the best one for your garden. These plants not only make your garden look beautiful with their flowers and strong growth, but they are also easy to take care of. Come visit Diaco’s, where our friendly team is ready to help you choose the perfect camellia and give you tips on how to care for them. Let’s make your garden beautiful together!