Camellia sasanqua Belinda

Camellia sasanqua 'Belinda' is an autumn camellia with large, single, fragrant bright pink flowers, adorned with a cluster of golden stamens that sometimes transform into petals, between September and November. With its evergreen, glossy, and leathery foliage, this robust and compact variety thrives in well-drained acidic soil, in light sun or partial shade. Tolerant of pruning, it can also be cultivated as a free-form hedge or in a large pot.

The autumn camellia 'Belinda', also known as 'Paradise Belinda', is derived from the botanical species Camellia sasanqua. This wild camellia, native to Japan, has the peculiarity of flowering early, between September and November. It belongs to the family of Theaceae. The 'Belinda' variety produces large charming flowers in a vibrant pink colour, with slightly crinkled petals measuring about 8 cm (3 in) in diameter. The heart of the flowers, which emit a sweet fragrance, is adorned with a large cluster of golden stamens that sometimes transform into tiny petals ("petaloid stamens"). This bush has ovate lanceolate leaves, measuring about 6 to 8 cm (2.5 to 3 in) in length. Leathery and evergreen, their dark green and glossy lamina, bordered with tiny teeth, ensures a beautiful presence all year round. Relatively fast-growing, 'Belinda' has a rather compact habit and can reach a height of 1.20 to 1.50 m (4 ft to 5 ft ) in 10 years, with a width of about 1.20 m (4 ft).

Camellia sasanqua 'Belinda' prefers light and moist acidic soil, well-drained and non-calcareous: the presence of active limestone causes yellowing of the foliage and the slow decline of the plant. This variety tolerates sun provided it is not scorching, but will prefer partial shade which will allow it to flower well. Its compactness makes it easy to cultivate in a small hedge or in a large pot (to be overwintered in a cool greenhouse), taking care to keep the substrate well-moistened. Light pruning, although not necessary, can aid its branching tendency in a hedge. Like many camellias, 'Belinda' will be more comfortable in an oceanic climate: it benefits from rainy summers and mild winters much more than continental temperature variations. Its hardiness is relatively limited, around -10 to -12°C (14 to 10.4 °F), and it is advisable to keep it in a site sheltered from cold winds to protect its foliage and flower buds from early frosts.

Pair it with other ericaceous shrubs to create a Japanese scene: 'Blauuw's Pink' Azalea, 'Passion' Japanese Andromeda, and perennials with exuberant foliage like Kirengeshoma, 'Sagae' Hosta, and the grass Hakonechloa macra with its delicate foliage.