Caring for the autumn-flowering camellia properly – this is what the pretty shrub needs

The Camelliais without question one of the most popular flowers because it impresses with its beautiful blossoms. It usually blooms in late winter or spring, but there are also varieties that impress with their flowers in autumn. Another such autumn-flowering camellia is the Sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua). Today we will introduce you to the magnificent specimen and explain what the plant needs to feel comfortable.

Autumn blooming camellia – interesting facts about the beauty

Where does the Sasanqua camellia come from?

The autumn-blooming camellia also comes from southern Japan and China, sothe Far East. There the plant prefers mountain slopes, where it forms entire thickets and decorates it with its beautiful flowers.

Properties of the plant

That theflowersWe have already mentioned that they are magnificent. They grow up to 7 cm tall and, as the name suggests, appear in autumn. So expect this camellia to bloom between September and November. The colors range from white to pink to red and also have a gentle, but at the same time, effectdistinctive scentout of. Although the plant generally blooms profusely, the individual camellia flower itself is not particularly long-lasting. Visually, the flowers can differ in more than just their color. There are also simple, semi-double and double flowers, but they are all round and symmetrically shaped.

Dieleavesare oval shaped and leathery, have a strong green color and a shiny top and are about 5 cm tall. The jagged edge and the tapered shape are also characteristic.

After flowering, small ones appearfruitwith a size of 3 cm, which are colored green to red. This is where the seeds develop, whose oil is very popular. It won't justused in cosmetics, but also finds use in the kitchen.

The autumn-blooming camellia isan ornamental shrub, the oneHeightof up to 5 meters. Its individual twigs and branches are rather delicate and fine and hang over elegantly, making the shrub a real eye-catcher in every respect. The young shoots are also often used to make tea.

Autumn-blooming camellia – location and care

If you buy an autumn-flowering camellia, you must of course choose the right oneLocationcare that meets their needs. Which one is that? Although the modern onesVarieties are less sensitive to cold, you should make sure that the plant has a place in the garden that protects it from wind and also from the winter sun. Find out about the variety you have chosen at the tree nursery or garden center - some need a cool winter quarters such as a semi-shaded winter garden, for others a thick layer of mulch and, if the temperature is below minus 10 degrees, a thermal fleece is sufficient. In order for the autumn-flowering camellia to produce many flowers, it needs a sunny location in summer, but where it is protected from the strong midday sun.

TheBodenshould be slightly sour and rich in humus. For this purpose, you can prepare the soil before planting the camellia. Dig the hole and mix the soil with special rhododendron soil. Place the autumn-flowering camellia in the designated planting hole and fill with soil.

How to care for your piece of jewelry

PourPlant the autumn-blooming camellia regularly, but make sure that it does not become waterlogged. This quickly leads to root rot and mold formation, which damages the plant and causes it to die. The water should also not be too hard. Rainwater is best. This should also happen regularlydungegabetake place. You can fertilize your camellia from late spring to late summer.

You can plant the fall-blooming camellia as neededcut. On the whole, regular cuts are unnecessary, but you are welcome to shorten shoots that are too long after flowering. You can also remove wild shoots. Larger pruning is only done on older plants and even then you shouldn't overdo it. It is best to carry out such pruning only every few years and only on small parts of the shoots.

Like most plants, the autumn-flowering camellia can of course be ofdiseases and pestsbe affected. Scale insects, thrips, black weevils, but also camellia plague and other fungal diseases can damage and weaken your plant. It is important to recognize and treat these in a timely manner.