How Much Sun Can Taylor's Perfection Sasanqua Take?

Characteristics

• Camellias originated in Eastern and Southeastern Asia and have been cultivated for hundreds of years. The variety "Taylor's Perfection" is a hybrid plant that originated in the 1970's in New Zealand. Generally classified as a type of camellia called a sasanqua, it averages 5 to 6 feet in height, spreading to cover about 4 or 5 feet. The plant has a generally upright habit, with dark green, glossy leaves and flowers that resemble soft pink waterlilies when open fully, with several rows of flat petals surrounding a small, yellowish center. Like most sasanquas, it blooms most abundantly in late fall or winter.

Sun

• "Taylor's Perfection" tolerates different light conditions, depending on the prevailing climate. It can thrive in full sun for a large part of the day in areas with cool summers, but it also does well in partial shade. In regions with hot, strong summer sun, the best spot for this plant is one that gets an hour or two of morning sun, followed by partial shade for the remainder of the day. Like most camellias, "Taylor's Perfection" can grow in full shade, but may not flower well under these conditions.

Water

• "Taylor's Perfection" prefers regular, even moisture, especially during its first season or two when it's developing a full root system. Although it can tolerate some dryness once established, it's best to provide water whenever the top 3 inches of soil is dry to the fingertip. If the plant grows in full sun for part of the day, keeping it evenly moist is especially helpful to prevent wilting and helping it grow well. Mulching roots with organic material such as straw or shredded bark also helps conserve soil moisture while keeping the plant's roots cool.

Other Care

• "Taylor's Perfection" thrives in soil that's rich in organic matter and drains well. Adding compost to your soil at planting can increase its organic content and also raise its fertility. If your soil is rich in clay and tends to hold water, you can add some fine sand at planting to improve its drainage. Like most camellias, this plant is slow-growing but long-lived when given basic care and proper conditions. It requires no pruning, but you can trim the plant back to improve its shape or promote bushy growth. This is best done in early spring, when flowering has ended, although you can remove damaged branches at any time.