Camellia October Magic® Orchid™

October Magic® Orchid™ is a compact evergreen sasanqua camellia with profuse fall flowers, white to blush with orchid-pink highlights. Its conical habit, glossy foliage, and modest 4–5-foot height make it a useful accent, container shrub, or informal screen. ## Flowers and form The [Southern Living Plant Collection fact sheet](https://southernlivingplants.com/images/uploads/fact-sheets/Camellia_OM_Orchid.pdf) identifies Orchid™ as ‘Green 94-035’ (PP20465). It describes small semidouble flowers in white and blush with orchid-pink highlights, a compact conical shape, and a fall bloom period. Its listed mature dimensions are 4–5 feet high by 3–4 feet wide, and it is rated for USDA zones 7–9. The sheet also gives full sun to part shade and calls the growth rate slow to moderate. ## Siting Choose a well-drained site with organic matter; in hot climates, shelter from intense afternoon sun is helpful. NC State Extension's [sasanqua profile](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/camellia-sasanqua/) describes evergreen foliage, late-fall-to-winter flowering across the species, and intolerance of alkaline soil. Use Orchid™ where its fall flowers can be seen near a walk or entry, or combine it with other acid-soil shrubs. ## Maintenance Water consistently during establishment and keep the root zone from drying severely. A light mulch helps conserve moisture, but keep it clear of the stems. Shape in early spring before the next flush of growth if needed; routine severe pruning is unnecessary and may reduce the shrub's natural conical outline.