Alabama Beauty Camellia (Sasanqua)

The Alabama Beauty™ Camellia from the Southern Living Plant Collection is a fast-growing fall-beauty! It's known for its rosy-red semi-double blooms that begin opening in fall and often continue into winter. This is one of the earliest blooming varieties around, so try pairing it with some late-season bloomers.

It features dark green oblong leaves that come to a point at the end. These leaves are remarkably consistent and evergreen throughout the year.

This variety is a vigorous grower, one of the quickest growing Camellias on the market today, along with the similarly speedy October Magic Inspiration Camellia. It grows upright initially and bushes out over time, eventually reaching 12-15 feet high and 6-8 feet wide. Therefore, it's a perfect choice for a blooming privacy screen or hedge. Otherwise, plant it along a property line, use it as a specimen, or grow them as a foundation planting on house-corners.

Alabama Beauty Camellia Care

This variety is hardy from USDA Zones 7-9. We do recommend providing some coverage during extended hard freezes in its first winter in your landscape to help ensure its survival. For instance, cover it with a tarp, freeze-cloth, or blanket overnight. This is generally not needed during its second winter in the landscape.

The Alabama Beauty grows best in Partial Sun, ideally 3-5 hours of direct sun or all-day lightly filtered sun. If you're in USDA Zone 7a or 7b, you can also grow this plant in Full Sun.

Water your new planting 2-3 times per week for the first growing season to encourage deep root growth.

Plant in slightly acidic soil with good drainage for best results. If your soil is highly alkaline, we recommend supplementing the ground around your plant with a soil acidifier.

Fertilize in spring with a slow-release acidic plant fertilizer to promote growth and the overall health of your plant.

Popular Companion Plants

Try planting this selection with different sized camellias that bloom at different times, like the Diana Camellia or October Magic Pink Perplexion Camellia. Alternatively, plant it with contrasting color or foliage texture plants that do well in similar growing conditions. In partial sun, try it with the Florida Sunshine Illicium, Soft Caress Mahonia, or Bloomstruck Hydrangea.

Tips for Camellia Planting Success