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Camellia sasanqua Île Vierge

Camellia sasanqua 'Île Vierge'
Autumn Camellia, Christmas Camellia

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An evergreen shrub appreciated for its abundant flowering from October to December: it becomes covered with small, single, white to very pale pink, tulip-shaped, pleasantly fragrant flowers. It reaches about 1.40 m in height and 0.80 m in width in 10 years and has good hardiness, around −12 to −15 °C. This camellia likes acidic to neutral, humus-bearing, well-drained soils, and non-scorching situations. Ideal in an informal hedge, in a light woodland scene, or in a large pot.
Flower size
6 cm
Height at maturity
1.40 m
Spread at maturity
80 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November
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Flowering time October to December
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Description

Camellia sasanqua ‘Île Vierge’ blooms from autumn onwards, producing an abundance of small, pale pink, tulip-shaped flowers. Its lightly scented corollas open against glossy foliage that remains decorative all year round. Easy-going in humus-rich soil and a temperate climate, this shrub can be planted in borders, low hedges or containers. It flowers until Christmas.

Belonging to the Theaceae family, Camellia sasanqua is a Japanese species, native in particular to the southern islands (Ryūkyū, Kyūshū) where it grows at forest edges and on open slopes.
The cultivar ‘Île Vierge’ is a French selection from the Breton nursery Stervinou. 

The habit of ‘Île Vierge’ is bushy, dense, rather upright, with moderate growth: the shrub reaches approximately 1.40 m in height and 0.80 m in spread at 10 years in open ground; in a pot, the plant remains more compact, around 90–120 cm tall and 60–80 cm wide. The evergreen, oval to elliptical, finely toothed, 5–7 cm long leaves are dark green and glossy. Flowering takes place from October to December with small single flowers 5–7 cm in diameter, with 5–7 petals. Their shape resembles a tulip; they are white to very pale pink depending on exposure and temperature, centred with a cluster of golden stamens; a light fragrance can be detected in the species sasanqua and its cultivars. The root system is fibrous and rather shallow, sensitive to chalky soils and compaction. This variety is hardy to -12/-15 °C.

Autumn camellia ‘Île Vierge’ is well suited to small gardens and container cultivation. It is a plant for humid oceanic climates and non-chalky soil, and tolerates sun better than Japanese camellias. It may not be hardy enough for cold regions, where its flowers may be destroyed. Plant it in the garden as a specimen, in a small flowering hedge, or in an acidic soil border, alongside Japanese azaleas with pastel blooms, Hydrangea macrophylla hydrangeas, or skimmias for their fragrant spring flowers and decorative berries. You can also underplant your camellias with autumn bulbs, such as colchicums or pink Naples cyclamen. In cold regions, grow it on a balcony or terrace, so it can be brought into a cool conservatory or cold greenhouse during its flowering period. 

In Japan, C. sasanqua is traditionally planted near homes for its winter flowers and because its oil (extracted from the seeds, ‘tsubaki-abura’) has long been used for tool maintenance and hair care; this tradition has contributed to its popularity as a winter shrub.

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Camellias: planting, pruning and care
Family sheet
by Olivier 15 min.
Camellias: planting, pruning and care
Read article

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.40 m
Spread at maturity 80 cm
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time October to December
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 6 cm
Fragrance slightly scented,

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green
Product reference • 250381

Planting and care

Camellia sasanqua 'Ile Vierge' is an ideal shrub for an oceanic climate, humid and cool, in humus-bearing soil free of lime. If these conditions are not met, it will not thrive and never reach its full potential. It can be placed in a slightly shaded spot, sheltered from cold, drying winds. However, you can grow it in full sun (avoid scorching sun), but the roots must stay cool. Plant it in humus-bearing, acidic, well-drained soil. Do not plant the shrub too deeply; the top of the root ball should be covered by 3 cm. In winter, cover it with a 5 to 7 cm thick mulch of leaf mould and shredded bark. Beware of late frosts, which can damage the flowers and buds. During dry periods, water to prevent the buds from dropping. Camellia sasanqua can be subject to root rot, leaf spots and viruses. It can be attacked by aphids and scale insects, which cause sooty mould, as well as by vine weevils.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Container, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained, fertile

Care

Pruning instructions Prune every year after flowering, outside of frost periods. Lightly prune the stems that spoil the shrub's compact habit. Remove faded flowers if you do not want fruits, and remove dead shoots. A mature Camellia can withstand severe pruning.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time January to February
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

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