Bonanza Camellia

You will really hit paydirt when you grow the Bonanza Camellia, a wonderful bush with a profusion of bright red blooms in fall and early winter. This is a sasanqua camellia, different from the japonica type, which bloom in winter and spring. Instead it blooms in fall, the exact time depending on your local climate. It has smaller leaves too, still glossy and deep green, and it makes a smaller, more open bush, no more than 6 feet tall, but growing wide, to about 6 feet across. It is especially useful in smaller gardens, and can easily be trained onto a wall or trellis, taking up almost no room at all. It is also more tolerant of sun and ‘less-than-perfect’ growing conditions. The flowers have many petals, and are 3 inches across, looking a lot like small peonies. Grow it against a wall, or among other acid-loving shrubs, such as azaleas. Versatile, easy and a beautiful way to enjoy flowers in fall.

• A profusion of bright-red peony-like blossoms
• Flowers in fall and early winter
• More compact and open-growing than japonica camellias
• More tolerant of sun and poorer soil conditions
• Should be grown in acidic soil

The Bonanza Camellia will tolerate full sun, and also enjoys partial shade and the open shade beneath deciduous trees. The soil should be moist, rich in lime-free compost, and well-drained, but it is tolerant of poorer soils than japonica camellias are. It does need acidic soil, preferably with a pH value of 6.5 or lower. Deer don’t normally bother it, and it doesn’t have any significant pest or disease problems if growing in reasonable conditions. It can be trimmed and pruned if needed, which should be done in late winter, before new growth begins.