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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender, Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Early winter, Late fall, Late winter, Mid fall, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Oval.

Physical Characteristics

Camellia sasanqua is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from October to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Thea sasanqua.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil Oil
Edible Uses: Oil Oil Tea

The oil obtained from the seed is edible if it is refined[46, 105, 142, 183]. It is said to be equal in quality to olive oil[2]. The leaves are mixed with tea to give it a pleasant aroma[2, 183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Demulcent Expectorant

Demulcent, expectorant[178].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye Hedge Hedge Oil Oil Soap

A non-drying oil is obtained from the seed - used as a hair-dressing and textile oil[46, 61, 171, 177]. A green dye is obtained from the pink or red petals[168]. A decoction of the plant (could this refer to the oil in the seed??) is used as a soap substitute for washing oily clothes[178]. Plants can be used as a hedge. The cultivar 'Onigoromo' has been especially mentioned for this purpose[188].

Special Uses

Espalier Hedge Hedge Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Espalier, Standard, Specimen. Prefers a woodland soil but thrives in a warm open well-drained loam if leafmould is added[1, 11, 200]. A calcifuge plant, preferring a pH between 5 and 7[11, 200]. Dislikes cold winds[11]. Prefers the partial shade of a light woodland[200], growing well in a woodland clearing[166]. Many cultivars tolerate full sun, in fact one report says that the species flowers better in a sunny position[182] and another that the plant prefers a hot sunny position[188]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[184]. Another report says that this species is very cold hardy if it is sheltered from cold winds[11]. Prefers a wet summer and a cool but not very frosty dry winter[200]. Another report says that the plant requires hot summers if it is to do well[260]. Plants are not very self-compatible, self-fertilized flowers produce few seeds and these are of low viability[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is closely allied to C. oleifera[11]. The cultivar 'Narumi-gata' (which is sometimes mistakenly called C. oleifera) is a very reliable shrub in Britain[11]. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted out into their final positions whilst still young. This species is cultivated in Asia for the oil in its seed, there are many named varieties mostly developed for their ornamental value[182]. The flowers have a delicate sweet perfume[245]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Extended bloom season in Zones 9A and above, Fragrant flowers, Blooms are very showy.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - can be sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[113]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water and the hard covering around the micropyle should be filed down to leave a thin covering[78, 113, 138]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 23°c[138]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall and give them some protection from winter cold for their first year or three outdoors[K]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, August/September in a shaded frame. A high percentage take, but they are slow to root[78]. Cuttings of firm wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, end of June in a frame[11, 78]. Keep in a cool greenhouse for the first year[11]. Leaf-bud cuttings, July/August in a frame.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Cha hua, Chamei, Kamelia sasangkua, Mei camellia, Perdu teh sasangkua, Sazanka, Shan cha, So, Tra-mai,

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Pacific, SE Asia, Tasmania, USA, Vietnam,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Camellia biflora		Shrub	9.0	-		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia chekiangoleosa	Camellia	Shrub	6.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia gracilis	Camellia	Shrub	4.0	-		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia japonica	Camellia, Common Camellia, Japanese Camellia	Shrub	10.0	7-9	S	LM	FSN	M	3	2	2
Camellia kissi		Shrub	12.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	2
Camellia oleifera	Tea-Oil Plant, Tea Oil Camellia	Shrub	4.0	6-9	S	LM	SN	M	2	2	2
Camellia pitardii		Shrub	7.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia polyodonta		Shrub	4.5	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia reticulata	To-tsubaki	Shrub	10.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	3	0	1
Camellia semiserrata		Shrub	12.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia sinensis	Tea Plant, Assam tea, Tea Tree Camellia	Shrub	4.0	7-9	S	LM	S	M	4	4	3
Camellia sinensis assamica	Tea Plant, Assam Tea	Shrub	10.0	8-10	S	LMH	SN	M	4	4	3
Camellia yunnanensis		Shrub	3.6	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Stewartia pseudocamellia	Japanese Stewartia	Tree	15.0	4-7	S	LMH	SN	M	1	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Camellia sasanqua - Thunb.