Camellia sasanqua Waterfall White

Camellia sasanqua 'Waterfall White' is the white-flowered version of 'Waterfall Pink', an amazing ground cover autumn camellia. Like its sister plant, 'Waterfall White' spreads effortlessly, creating the effect of a beautiful flowering cascade in autumn. This unusual variety will bring abundant charm to the late season: its double corollas, set against evergreen foliage of dark and glossy green, release a shower of petals forming a carpet of snow on the ground. Attractive all year round, this bush will cause a sensation above a wall or in front of a bed of taller shrubs. Give it a moist soil in summer, rich and chalk-free.

The 'Waterfall White' camellia is one of the many hybrids derived from the Camellia sasanqua species, which belongs to the Theaceae family. This plant has a bushy, flexible, wide and prostrate habit. Its growth is quite rapid, allowing it to reach 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in height and 1.50 m (5 ft) in width within 10 years. Adult size could reach 1 m (3 ft 4 in) with a wingspan of 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) under favourable conditions. Flowering takes place from October to November. The bush produces beautiful flowers measuring 5 to 6 cm (2 to 2.5 in) wide, formed by multiple white petals assembled around a scarcely visible golden yellow stamen heart. The flowers are fleeting but continuously renew on the plant. The dense foliage is evergreen. It is composed of dark green, shiny, ovate, leathery, toothed leaves, paler on the underside.

Preferring a humid oceanic climate and non-calcereous soil, the Camellia sasanqua 'Waterfall White'  dislikes scorching sun and windy conditions. It performs better in mild climates than in cold regions, where its hardiness is sometimes lacking and its flowering destroyed. Wherever the winter is not too harsh, it can be planted in the garden in isolation or in front of a bed composed of other ericaceous plants (Rhododendron, azaleas, Hydrangea, Hamamelis). 'Waterfall White' deserves a prime location: place it in a high position, near a porch, not far from the house, or at the bend of a path. You can of course combine it with its fresh pink-flowered counterpart 'Waterfall Pink' and adorn its base with autumn bulbs, such as colchicums or ivy-leaf cyclamens. In cold regions, it can be planted in a pot on the balcony or terrace, but must be brought inside during its flowering period to a slightly heated veranda or cool greenhouse.