Botanical name: Camellia sasanqua. Many colors and varieties are available; 'Setsugekka' is shown here.
USDA zones: 7 to 10 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Moderate; do not overwater.
Light requirement: Partial shade, especially in hot climates. Will take more sun than Camellia japonica.
Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, depending greatly on variety
Tolerances: Generally trouble free if conditions are right; not as prone to petal blight (disease) as Japonicas.

Distinguishing traits. Evergreen leaves are deep green and handsome all year. Flowers in shades of red, pink and white, single or double, are small (2 to 3 inches or so) but abundant. Shown here is rose-red, double-blossom 'Shishi-Gashira' (also considered a Hiemalis camellia).

Bright red with a yellow center, 'Yuletide' Sasanqua camellia blooms in late fall, just in time for the holidays. The plant is distintively upright, perfect for a container near the front door or other narrow spot.

'Pink a Boo' is an offshoot of 'Yuletide' — note the similar bright yellow center. The flower is bigger but this plant is also a holiday bloomer. It shares the same upright habit, which means it's also great in a pot.

How to use it. Choose a Sasanqua variety based on colors you like plus growth habit. Some varieties tend to spread; others stand upright. You can see tendencies in young nursery plants, such as 'Shishi-Gashira' (shown), which is compact and fairly low growing by nature. For a ground cover, look for spreaders such as 'Mine-Yo-Yuki' or 'Bonanza'. For a hedge, try a more upright type, such as 'Jean May' or 'Setsugekka'.

Growing tips. Plant in partial shade or full sun except in hot climates. Make sure the soil drains well. At planting time refill the hole or bed with at least 25 percent organic matter. Cover the soil with mulch, keep it moist and feed regularly with special camellia food. To prevent diseases from spreading, try to pick up fallen blossoms — although Sasanquas aren't as susceptible to petal blight as Japonicas.

To grow a Sasanqua in a container, start with commercial camellia mix or make your own with up to 50 percent organic matter. Pot size is also important: choose a diameter of 12 to 14 inches for gallon-can-size plants, and 16 to 18 inches for 5-gallon size.