Yuletide Sasanqua - A Beautiful Holiday Treat

Yuletide Sasanqua

Recently I pulled two or three light pink semi-double flowers from a Sasanqua shrub of mine, placed them in a vase and gave them to a friend as a gift for a get-together she hosted for us bunch of friends.

She liked them, but I thought she would love something different.

My next-door neighbor has this wonderful Yuletide Sasanqua in her back yard next to our property line and I stole a few blooms (with her permission) and created two more vase arrangements for the host.

Sasanquas are actually part of the Camellia genus, but the Yuletide is not of the Saquanqua species. It is actually a camellia hybrid, Camellia x vernalis.

Nonetheless, they do more so favor a Sasanqua, but are technically part of the Camellia japonica type. Who cares?

Like most other Sasanquas they bloom in late fall or early winter and these are more likely to bloom around the Christmas season, but sometimes they get confused and put on a colorful red and yellow show in November or January.

In this area, they will typically mature to ten or fourteen feet in a tree-like fashion and have a crown in width of about half their height. Pruned properly, they can make for interesting specimen plants.

Camellias, with well over 2000 species, cultivars and hybrids, are one of the most manipulated shrubs/trees in the world. And, rightfully so.

Considering they are one of the most bloom-producing evergreens with flowers that come in so many colors and can resemble carnations or roses. They are highly sought and those that do what they do with cultivating and hybridizing, find a palette and playground with these creatures.

Camellias are actually known by some as "Yankee's Envy", because we southerners could enjoy them, virtually, throughout the year. Over time, however; those who tinker with plants and Mother Nature have concocted some cold hearty varieties which now survive, enjoy and put out beautiful flowers in the northern regions.

In almost every state in which Camellias thrive, there is usually a state-wide Camellia club and many others throughout the state, along with plant shows and flower competitions.

Charleston is known as the birth place (entry point) of Camellias in the United States.

So, if you feel inspired this holiday season, go find a Yuletide Sasanqua, kick up the eggnog and go plant that wonderful shrub in the ground, with care.