Bob’s Supreme Camellia

Camellia sasanqua ‘Bob’s Supreme’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-10b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Species: Sasanqua (Fall, Mid Winter bloom)

Height at Maturity: 7-8′ depending on pruning

Width at Maturity: 4-6 depending on pruning

Spacing: 4′ for solid hedges; 10’+ for space between plants

Flower Color: White with Lavender-Pink border

Flower Size: 3″ diameter

Flowering Period: Mid to Late Fall

Flower Type: Semi-Double

Fragrant Flowers: Yes, light

Foliage Color: Deep Blue-Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: na

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity

Intolerances: Direct Afternoon Sun, Constantly Soggy Soil

Description

One of if not the rarest landscape Camellias we offer, the Bob’s Supreme Camellia was discovered in Athens, Georgia by the Robert (Bob) Wright, who left us in July of 2021 at 96 years of age. In mid to late fall this vigorous beauty features an exceptionally prolific bloom of 3-inch flowers with white petals that have a unique and striking lavender-pink border around the edge of each petal. The flowers begin to open appearing as double but continue to open into a semi-double form. Very deep blue-green leaves provide the perfect backdrop to showcase the flowers. A truly spectacular Camellia for collectors and all gardeners alike!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide (depending on pruning), Bob’s Supreme Camellia can be grown as a shrub or small tree. As a shrub it is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as hedge or background plant in landscape borders and is especially nice as a corner plant or espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plantings. As this Camellia grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive and colorful small evergreen tree that serves well as an accent or focal point specimen in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. A fine addition to camellia gardens, cottage gardens, cut flower gardens and woodland borders. Also suitable for containers that can be brought indoors overwinter for those who live above USDA Zone 7a, where not winter hardy. Find Your Zone

Spacing: 4 feet apart for solid hedge; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Camellia adapt well to various soil types however prefer a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Constantly soggy soil is a slow killer. In general, Camellias grow and bloom better in partial shade with some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered sunlight is perfect. All-day filtered sun is fine.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Camellias.

Planting Camellias

Pruning Camellias

How To Fertilize & Water Camellias

How To Espalier Plants & Trees

*Espalier (pronounced: ih-spal-yay) …an ornamental shrub or tree that has been trained to grow flat against a wall, fence, or other vertical, flat surface.

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Questions? Contact Us

I’ve been looking for unusual camellias to add to my landscape. The shrub arrived in excellent condition with many buds waiting to burst. I was delighted when one of them bloomed. The pictures online do not do the beauty justice. Very pleased with my purchase.—————————————-Thanks so much for the photo! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I just recently received my camellia. It arrived safe and sound and is a healthy and beautiful plant. I can’t wait to see the bloom!———————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This plant came loaded with blooms! I can’t wait to see the blooms!!—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂