Camellia sasanqua “Yuletide”

This Camellia may have smaller blooms, but it makes up for that with sheer volume of crisp red single flowers with bright yellow centers. The “Yuletide’s” bloom season starts in about mid November and last for years outlasting other Camellias also.Even when “Yuletide” isn’t showing off with a sensational bounty of red flowers it is a hansom plant. The leaves are smaller than most Camellias, shiny clean and more dense looking too.Care and growth habit:

“Yuletide” Camellias will grow to be about 9’ tall and 6’ wide. This evergreen prefers to be in a place protected from strong winds as these will dry out

its leaves.   Place this shrub so that it will have light shade from the hot afternoon sun. “Yuletide” as with all Camellias needs regular supplemental water when young but will become fairly drought tolerant with age.

Fertilize your camellias with an Acid loving Fertilizer such as Holly-tone by Espoma which is an organic fertilizer.Botanical Pronunciation: kuh-MEE-lee-a suh-SAN-kwuh

Key feature: Winter Flowering

Plant types: Shrub, Camellia

Garden styles: Asian/Zen, Cottage

Deciduous/evergreen: Evergreen

Light needs: Filtered sun

Water Needs: Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry.

Average landscape size: Moderate growing 8 to 10 ft. tall and wide.

Growth rate: Moderate

Flower attributes: Flowers for Cutting, Showy Flowers

Special features: Waterwise Landscape uses: Border, Container, Espalier, Mass Planting, Privacy Screen, Woodland Garden Flower color: Red Blooms: Fall through winter Foliage color: Dark Green

Care InformationFollow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. Pruning time: winter after flowering.

Design IdeasWith its simple yet elegant red flowers and golden centers, this sasanqua variety is among the most popular. When not in flower, its upright habit helps it create a fine evergreen background for a variety of conditions. Plant around the house to cover foundations and to fill window-free walls. Use along fence lines and add vivid color to outdoor living spaces, porches and patios. Even grows well under the filtered shade of old street trees dominating the front yard. Can be used as an informal hedge, partition or privacy screen. As the name suggests, a must holiday decoration in containers or as cut flowers throughout the house.

Companion PlantsThe red, holiday blooms pair well with those plants that produce fall and winter berries like Holly, Marlberry, and Japanese Skimmia. Combine with the big, bold foliage and blooms of Hosta, Coral Bells, Hydrangea and Rhododendron. For an Asian theme, design with mixed Azaleas, Heavenly Bamboo, Dogwood, Japanese Maples, Lily of the Valley, Iris and Gardenia.

HistorySometimes referred to as Christmas Camellias, the sasanqua varieties of Camellia are native to the evergreen, coastal forests of southern Japan. It was introduced by Dutch traders into Europe in 1869. Yuletide is a chance seedling of Kanjiro and originated at Nuccio's Nurseries in Altadena, CA. The Japanese use the leaves of sasanqua to make tea, and the seeds are pressed into tea seed oil for use as a lubricant and in cooking and cosmetics.