Camellia sasanqua 'Beatrice Emily'

Beatrice Emily Sasanqua Camellia

Botanical Name: Camellia sasanqua 'Beatrice Emily'
Family: Theaceae
Origin: Australian cultivar (originated at Brown's Pentecost Nursery, NSW; species native to Japan)
Plant Type: Evergreen large shrub

Overview

A beautiful Australian-bred sasanqua camellia and a favourite for hedging and screening across the country, Camellia sasanqua 'Beatrice Emily' produces an abundance of large, fully double white blooms with delicate mauve-pink shading on the outer petals from early autumn through winter. The combination of pristine white and soft pink is genuinely elegant set against the dense, glossy dark green foliage.
More sun-tolerant and faster-growing than Camellia japonica, 'Beatrice Emily' is an exceptional performer in Adelaide's climate. Its dense, upright habit makes it one of the most popular choices for tall hedges and screens across South Australia, while its generous flowering display and glossy evergreen foliage make it equally rewarding as a feature specimen or espalier. A reliable, long-lived and low-fuss camellia that delivers something beautiful in every season.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 1.5–3.5 m H x 1.5–2.0 m W (dense, upright bushy habit; can be maintained as a hedge from 1.0–3.0 m)
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast; 30–50 cm per year; forms a dense hedge in 3–5 years
• Foliage: Glossy, shiny deep green oval leaves; dense, evergreen year-round; excellent hedge foliage
• Flowers: Large, fully double blooms in white with delicate mauve-pink shading on the reverse outer petals; early autumn through winter; prolific and eye-catching display
• Fragrance: Lightly fragrant; subtle sweet camellia scent
• Seasonal Interest: Dense glossy foliage year-round; prolific white and pink flowers through autumn and winter; prune and feed in late winter after flowering; fresh new growth in spring and summer
• Wildlife Value: Autumn and winter flowers provide nectar for bees and pollinators when few other plants are in bloom; dense foliage provides shelter and nesting habitat
• Tolerance: Frost hardy once established; more sun-tolerant than Camellia japonica; coastal hardy; shelter from harsh winds recommended for best flower quality; dislikes alkaline soils and waterlogging
• Planting Density: Tight hedge: 1 plant per metre (80 cm–1.0 m spacing); Standard hedge/screen: 1 plant per 1.2–1.5 m; Specimen: 2.0 m apart; suitable for large containers (50 cm+)
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; tolerates more sun than Camellia japonica; avoid harsh western afternoon sun in hot inland positions
• Soil: Humus-rich, well-drained acidic to neutral soil; incorporate compost and aged manure before planting; avoid Adelaide's alkaline soils unless amended or grow in containers with camellia/azalea potting mix
• Water Needs: Establishment: deep soak 2–3 times/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 7–10 days in summer; fortnightly in spring and autumn; monthly in winter; mulch well to retain moisture and keep roots cool
• Maintenance: Prune lightly after flowering (late winter) to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth; avoid pruning in summer and autumn when flower buds are forming; feed with camellia/azalea fertiliser in spring after pruning and again in late summer; apply organic mulch annually; monitor for scale insects and sooty mould
• Lifespan: Very long-lived; decades with correct soil conditions and drainage
• Climate Zones: Well suited to Adelaide's coastal and metropolitan areas, Fleurieu Peninsula and sheltered foothills positions; performs well in warm sheltered microclimates across SA
• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (pH 5.0–6.5); sensitive to alkaline soils; test and amend regularly or grow in containers with specialist potting mix

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Tall formal hedge or privacy screen delivering dense year-round structure with a generous autumn and winter flowering display
• Espalier against a south or east-facing fence or wall for a stunning flat screen in narrow garden spaces
• Feature specimen in courtyard and garden bed plantings where the white and mauve-pink blooms create a refined autumn focal point
• Combine with Azaleas, Daphne and shade-loving ferns for a classic acid-loving garden with layered seasonal interest
• Large container specimen for sheltered patios and courtyards; use camellia/azalea potting mix and feed regularly for best results

Why You Will Love It

'Beatrice Emily' is a genuinely beautiful and hardworking camellia. The large, fully double white blooms with their delicate mauve-pink outer petals are produced with real generosity through autumn and winter, and the dense, glossy habit makes it one of the most satisfying hedging plants available for South Australian gardens. Australian-bred and well-proven in our conditions, it is a plant that simply delivers year after year.