Q: What is the difference between sasanqua camellia and Japanese camellia?

A: Sasanqua camellia, Camellia sasanqua and Japanese camellia, Camellia japonica, are the two camellia species most often cultivated in the South.

There are more than 200 species of camellia, all native to Southeast Asia.

Their bloom season is the best way to tell them apart. Sasanqua camellia most often blooms in fall through early winter. Japanese camellia blooms from mid-winter through spring.

There are hundreds of cultivars of both species. You can find out more about these great blooming plants at the American Camellia Society website. The society is headquartered in Fort Valley, GA.

Camellia japonica