Camellia sasanqua 'Sparkling Burgundy'

Sparkling Burgundy Sasanqua Camellia

Botanical Name: Camellia sasanqua 'Sparkling Burgundy'
Family: Theaceae
Origin: Cultivar (species native to Japan)
Plant Type: Evergreen large shrub

Overview

A genuine all-time favourite and recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, Camellia sasanqua 'Sparkling Burgundy' is one of the most spectacular flowering camellias available. Its showy peony-shaped blooms in rich ruby-red with lavender undertones and scattered gold stamens are produced in such breathtaking abundance from early autumn through winter that the plant becomes an unmissable garden feature when little else is flowering.
Vigorous and upright with slightly pendulous branching, 'Sparkling Burgundy' suits a wide range of landscape applications across Adelaide's climate. More sun-tolerant and earlier flowering than Camellia japonica, it delivers outstanding results as a hedge, screen, espalier or feature specimen. Drought and frost hardy once established, it is a long-lived, reliable and deeply rewarding camellia for South Australian gardens.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 2.5–3.5 m H x 1.5–2.5 m W (vigorous upright habit with slightly pendulous branching; 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, elliptical dark green leaves; dense, evergreen year-round; excellent hedge and screen foliage
• Flowers: Medium to large peony-shaped blooms 7–10 cm across in rich ruby-red with lavender undertones and scattered gold stamens; produced in prolific profusion from early autumn through to early winter (March to June in SA); lightly fragrant
• Fragrance: Lightly fragrant; subtle sweet camellia scent
• Seasonal Interest: Dense glossy foliage year-round; spectacular ruby-red flowers smothering the plant from early autumn through winter; fallen petals create a vivid carpet beneath the plant; prune and feed in late winter after flowering; fresh new growth in spring and summer
• Wildlife Value: Autumn and winter flowers provide valuable nectar for bees and pollinators when few other plants are in bloom; dense foliage provides shelter and nesting habitat for small birds
• Tolerance: Frost hardy once established; drought tolerant once established; more sun-tolerant than Camellia japonica; pollution resistant; moderately wind tolerant; shelter from harsh cold winds recommended for best flower quality; dislikes alkaline soils and waterlogging
• Planting Density: Tight hedge: 1–2 plants per metre (60–80 cm spacing); Standard hedge/screen: 1 plant per metre (80 cm–1.0 m spacing); Specimen: 2.0–2.5 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; more sun-tolerant than Camellia japonica; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in hotter inland Adelaide positions; tolerates a wide range of light conditions
• Soil: Humus-rich, well-drained acidic to neutral soil; incorporate compost and aged manure before planting; avoid Adelaide's alkaline soils unless heavily 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 care
• Climate Zones: Well suited to Adelaide's coastal and metropolitan areas, Fleurieu Peninsula and sheltered foothills positions; performs well across SA in most garden positions
• 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

• Flowering hedge or privacy screen where the spectacular ruby-red autumn display creates an unforgettable seasonal statement alongside year-round glossy evergreen structure
• Espalier against a sheltered south or east-facing fence or wall for a stunning flat screen richly decorated with autumn blooms
• Feature specimen in courtyard and garden bed plantings where the intense ruby-red flowers create bold contrast against surrounding greenery
• Windbreak planting along boundaries where its vigour, frost and drought resistance provide reliable shelter with seasonal floral rewards
• Combine with Azaleas, Daphne and Hellebores for a classic acid-loving garden delivering rich colour and fragrance from autumn through spring

Why You Will Love It

'Sparkling Burgundy' is one of those camellias that stops people in their tracks. When the plant is smothered in rich ruby-red blooms against glossy dark green foliage in autumn and early winter, it is genuinely one of the most beautiful sights in the garden. Award-winning, vigorous, long-lived and reliable, this is a camellia that more than justifies its enduring popularity across Australian gardens.