Just when it’s most dark and dreary out, Camellia sasanqua puts on a bright floral display. Blooming from November through to February, ‘Yuletide’ has open flowers with deep red velvety petals surrounding a crown of bright yellow stamen – much loved by bees, and much loved by us! The flowers pop against the dark green glossy leaves of this hardy, evergreen shrub, prolonging the interest in your garden throughout the year, even when everything else has died back over winter. This makes them great for city and courtyard gardens, particularly those that are overshadowed by neighbouring buildings where more sun-loving plants might struggle.
They can handle temperatures down to -15 degrees celsius but aren’t fans of dry, cold winds, which can burn their precious petals. Clara isn’t a particularly fast growing plant so can stay in her nursery pot for a couple of years. She will need repotting to top up her nutrients though, and when the time comes be sure to use ericaceous potting compost that is more suitable to acidic loving plants. Planted up into the wrong compost might result in yellowing, nutrient-deficient looking leaves.
Although it's unlikely to need pruning until it’s mature enough, if your Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ has grown too big for your space, cut back its branches after it’s flowered in mid/late Spring. This will give it the whole of the summer season to recover and put on fresh new growth.
Did you know?
While we grow it as an ornamental garden plant, the leaves of Camellia sasanqua have been used by the Japanese for centuries to make tea. We wouldn’t recommend it – we don’t know the secret to their brew.
Most light conditions
Easy care
