While most shrubs are calling it a season, October Magic® Orchid Camellia is just getting started. This sasanqua camellia blooms from fall through early winter, producing semi-double flowers in a soft orchid-lavender pink — a refined, uncommon color in the camellia world that stands out beautifully against its deep, glossy evergreen foliage. It fills a genuine gap in the landscape calendar, bringing fresh color and interest at precisely the time of year when the garden needs it most.
Outside of bloom season, October Magic® Orchid earns its keep as a handsome, dense evergreen shrub with a naturally tidy, compact habit that requires little maintenance to look its best. Bred with improved cold hardiness, it performs reliably in climates where traditional camellias can be hit or miss, making it a more accessible choice for gardeners who have always wanted to grow these beautiful shrubs but weren't sure they could.
Highlights:
- Soft orchid-lavender pink semi-double blooms — a distinctive and elegant fall color
- Blooms fall through early winter when little else is flowering
- Dense, glossy evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and beauty
- Naturally compact habit; minimal pruning required
- Improved cold hardiness beyond traditional camellia growing regions
- Attracts late-season pollinators
- Deer resistant
- Excellent as a specimen, hedge, foundation planting, or container shrub
Growing Info:
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 7–9
- Mature Size: 4–6 ft. tall, 3–5 ft. wide
- Sun: Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade preferred in hottest climates
- Soil: Moist, humus-rich, acidic, well-drained; pH 5.5–6.5 preferred
- Water: Moderate; consistent moisture important especially during establishment
- Tip: Feed with an acid-forming fertilizer in spring and mulch well to retain moisture and maintain soil acidity