Camellia Jean May | Peach-Pink Sasanqua Flowering Shrub

Add soft colour and year-round structure to the garden with Camellia sasanqua ‘Jean May’, an elegant evergreen shrub known for its beautifully shaped peach-pink flowers and glossy green foliage.

The flowers open in pale peach to shell-pink tones, deepening to a warmer rose-pink near the centre. Their neat, cup-shaped form gives the blooms a delicate, almost porcelain-like appearance.

Flowering mainly through autumn and winter, ‘Jean May’ brings welcome colour to the garden during the cooler months. The blooms may be semi-double to double and can reach approximately 10cm across once the plant is mature.

With its dense, upright growth, ‘Jean May’ is suitable for flowering hedges, privacy screens, espalier, large pots or as an individual feature shrub.

Plant Size Note

Supplied as a young Australian-grown plant in a 42mm pot.

Plants in 42mm pots are small starter plants and will require time to establish and develop before reaching the mature size shown in example images.

Plants may not be flowering when dispatched. Height, branching, foliage and seasonal appearance will vary between individual plants.

Features

• Camellia sasanqua ‘Jean May’
• Soft peach-pink to shell-pink flowers
• Colour deepens towards the rose-pink centre
• Semi-double to double flower form
• Flowers may reach approximately 10cm across
• Lightly fragrant blooms
• Flowers mainly through autumn and winter
• Further flowering may continue into early spring
• Glossy dark green evergreen foliage
• Dense, upright and spreading growth habit
• Mature height approximately 2–3m
• Mature width approximately 1.5–2.5m
• Suitable for hedging and screening
• Can be trained as an espalier
• Suitable for large pots and containers
• Australian grown
• Supplied in a 42mm pot

Planting & Care

Plant Camellia ‘Jean May’ in full sun to part shade.

Sasanqua Camellias generally tolerate more sun than many other Camellias. In hot or exposed climates, morning sun with protection from harsh afternoon heat can help prevent leaf scorch and moisture stress.

Choose fertile, slightly acidic and free-draining soil. Avoid alkaline or lime-rich soil, as this can cause yellowing foliage and poor growth.

Improve the planting area with compost or well-rotted organic matter where required. Avoid planting in positions where water remains around the roots after rain.

Water thoroughly after planting and maintain regular moisture while the young plant establishes. Mature plants develop better tolerance to short dry periods, but flowering and foliage will still benefit from deep watering during extended hot or dry weather.

Apply mulch around the root zone to help retain soil moisture and reduce weeds. Keep mulch slightly away from the main stem.

Feed during spring with a slow-release fertiliser formulated for Camellias, Azaleas and other acid-loving plants. Follow the fertiliser directions carefully, particularly when feeding young plants.

Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape, encourage bushier growth or control the plant’s size. Avoid pruning heavily just before flowering, as this may remove developing flower buds.

Flowering Time

‘Jean May’ generally flowers from autumn through winter, with flowering sometimes continuing into early spring.

Flowering time and abundance will vary depending on climate, plant maturity, sunlight and seasonal conditions.

Landscape Uses

Camellia ‘Jean May’ is suitable for:

• Flowering hedges
• Privacy screens
• Feature shrub planting
• Espalier
• Garden borders
• Entrance gardens
• Cottage-style gardens
• Courtyards and patios
• Large pots and containers
• Temperate and subtropical gardens

For hedging, spacing will depend on the desired density and pruning style. As a general guide, plants may be positioned approximately 1–1.5m apart.

Allow more space when growing as individual specimen shrubs.

Growing in Pots

‘Jean May’ can be grown successfully in pots and containers.

Use a quality potting mix formulated for Camellias and Azaleas, and choose a pot with clear drainage holes.

Move the young plant gradually into larger containers as its root system develops rather than planting it directly into an excessively large pot.

Container-grown Camellias require regular moisture, particularly during hot, windy or flowering periods. Do not allow the potting mix to remain constantly wet.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Camellia sasanqua ‘Jean May’
Common Name: Jean May Camellia
Plant Type: Evergreen flowering shrub
Supplied As: Young Australian-grown plant in a 42mm pot
Flower Colour: Pale peach-pink to shell-pink, deepening towards rose-pink
Flower Form: Semi-double to double, cup-shaped blooms
Flower Size: Up to approximately 10cm across
Fragrance: Lightly fragrant
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Growth Habit: Dense, upright and spreading
Mature Height: Approximately 2–3m
Mature Width: Approximately 1.5–2.5m
Flowering Time: Autumn through winter, sometimes continuing into early spring
Aspect: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Fertile, slightly acidic and free-draining
Watering: Regular while establishing; moderate once mature
Frost Tolerance: Tolerates light frost once established
Climate: Temperate to subtropical climates
Uses: Hedging, screening, espalier, pots and feature planting

Important Note

Images show mature plants in flower and are provided as examples only.

You will receive a young starter plant in a 42mm pot. It may be small and may not be flowering when dispatched.

Plant height, branching, foliage colour and seasonal appearance will vary naturally. Plants may be trimmed before dispatch when required for safe transport or healthy future growth.

FAQ

What colour are Jean May Camellia flowers?

The flowers are pale peach-pink to shell-pink, often deepening to a warmer rose-pink towards the centre.

Are the flowers single or double?

‘Jean May’ generally produces semi-double to double flowers.

Is Jean May Camellia fragrant?

Yes. The flowers may have a light, delicate fragrance.

When does it flower?

It flowers mainly through autumn and winter, with some flowering possible into early spring.

How large does Jean May grow?

It generally reaches approximately 2–3m high and 1.5–2.5m wide, depending on climate, soil and pruning.

What size plant will I receive?

You will receive a young Australian-grown starter plant supplied in a 42mm pot.

Will it arrive in flower?

Not necessarily. Flowering depends on plant maturity, season and growing conditions.

Can it grow in full sun?

Yes. Sasanqua Camellias tolerate full sun better than many other Camellias. In very hot climates, protection from harsh afternoon sun is beneficial.

Can it grow in part shade?

Yes. Part shade is suitable, particularly in warm or exposed locations.

Is it suitable for subtropical gardens?

Yes. It can perform well in subtropical gardens when given free-draining acidic soil, mulch and adequate moisture.

Is it frost tolerant?

It can tolerate light frost once established. Young plants may benefit from protection during severe frost.

What soil does it prefer?

It prefers fertile, slightly acidic, free-draining soil. Avoid alkaline or lime-rich soil.

Can it be grown as a hedge?

Yes. Its dense evergreen growth makes it well suited to flowering hedges and privacy screens.

Can it be trained as an espalier?

Yes. Its flexible growth and attractive flowers make it suitable for training against walls, fences and frames.

Can it grow in a pot?

Yes. Use a large container with drainage holes and a quality Camellia and Azalea potting mix.

When should I prune it?

Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense new growth.

What fertiliser should I use?

Use a slow-release fertiliser formulated for Camellias, Azaleas and other acid-loving plants during spring.