Enjoy SHISHI GASHIRA CAMELLIA bushes for their...

. huge double eye-catching autumn flowers >>> late September to December
. stunning dark pink blooms >>> great cut flower (slight tea fragrance)
. dense dwarf to compact spreading shrub >>> to 5' (semi-weeping with age)
. dressy dark green year-round foliage >>> evergreen + very refined
. eco-friendly nature >>> drought tolerant and long-lived in proper habitat
. garden versatility >>> shade gardens, containers, flowering privacy screens
. >>> 2002 Mississippi Medallion award winner - perfect holiday gift idea!

USDA plant hardiness zones: 7, 8, 9 | considered winter hardy to 0 °F (-18°C)
Sunset plant hardiness zones: 4-9, 14-24 [western states]

LIGHT: partial shade [increased sun tolerance with ample moisture]
WATER: evenly moist [considered drought tolerant once established]
SOIL: fertile + humus-rich + acidic + well-drained

Botanical Name: Camellia x hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'
Plant Family: Theaceae: Tea family
Plant Origin/Camellia Nursery Cultivar: Originated and spread in the Kansai and Chubu regions of Japan. First mentioned in Engeikai Zasshi, a Japanese horticultural journal, in 1894.
From the website Sazanka: The Flower of Autumn Sun: “Sazanka” is a Japanese name of the ornamental shrub Camellia sasanqua and two related hybrid camellia species – C. x hiemalis and C. x vernalis. Non-Japanese people call it “sasanqua”. In Japanese, word “sazanka” is written with three Kanji characters meaning “mountain”, “tea” and “flower”. In Chinese, sasanqua is called “cha-mai” and is written with two characters meaning “tea” and “pretty”, together meaning “pretty tea”. The "Sazanka" website has tons of incredible information about autumn camellias.
a.k.a: Shishigashira -- this means "Lion's Head" in Japanese. Also called 'Beni-Kan-Tsubaki,' C. sasanqua 'Shi-Shi Gashira,' Shi-shi Gashira, 'Lion's Head,' 'Kantsubaki' (Japan)

How to grow Shishi Gashira Autumn Camellias:
. Select a location that provides adequate sunlight, water, and soil requirements (see above)
. Plant high, with trunk base well above soil line to ensure adequate drainage
. Water regularly throughout the year and during dry spells for optimum performance
. Fertilize Autumn Camellias in spring with an acid fertilizer and again in early July
. Prune after flowering to ensure maximum bud set/flowers for next year's bloom
. Maintain a thick, acidic mulch layer to protect shallow roots and conserve moisture
. Avoid unnecessary cultivation around camellia plants once they're established
. Grow Shishi Gashira Camellias in large winter-protected containers in colder climates

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