Dongnan Sancha Camellia
Camellia edithae 'Heimudan'
1 Gallon | Hardiness Zones 7-10
Most gardeners who grow camellias are familiar with two of them. Camellia japonica opens in winter, C. sasanqua in autumn, and between the two a practiced collector can have flowers from October through March. What happens in April is generally someone else's problem.
'Heimudan' solves that problem. A cultivar of Camellia edithae, a species from the forests of southeastern China little known in Western gardens, it blooms in late spring — April into May — at the precise moment when the last japonica has finished and the garden is transitioning toward summer. The flowers are fully double, deep rose-red, peony-form, produced at the stem tips with the density and formality that the cultivar's name promises. 'Heimudan' translates from Chinese as Dark Peony, which is accurate both as a description of the flower form and as a statement of intent. The blooms are heat-tolerant in a way that late-season japonica flowers rarely manage, holding their color and form through the warming days of spring rather than browning at the edges.
The foliage is the plant's other argument. Camellia edithae has leaves unlike those of any other camellia in common cultivation: thick, leathery, and deeply furrowed along the veins in a way that creates a strongly textured, almost sculptural surface. The undersides of the leaves and the surfaces of young stems are densely hairy, another characteristic that sets the species visually apart from the smooth-leaved japonica and sasanqua types. This is a plant worth growing in the garden for eleven months of the year on foliage alone, and then flowering in the twelfth at a moment no other camellia reaches.
Camellia edithae grows in forests at elevations between 200 and 1,000 meters across southeastern China, a range that has produced a plant of reasonable cold hardiness for its genus. 'Heimudan' was selected in Fujian Province in 1989 as a natural seedling. Woodlanders is among the very few nurseries making it available to American gardeners, which is either a statement about its obscurity or about our priorities. We consider it both.
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| Hardiness Zones | USDA Zones 7-10 |
| Sun | Part Shade |
| Soil | Well-drained, Acid, Mulched, and Sandy |
| Mature size | Height: 6-12 Feet / Spread: 3-5 Feet |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Seasonality | Evergreen |
Flower, Fruit and Foliage
Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants:
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
The majority of our plants are carefully cultivated from rooted cuttings, while we also utilize propagation methods such as seed, air layering, and grafting, thoughtfully chosen to suit each plant’s unique needs.
Our plants are cultivated using sustainable practices, including organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management, ensuring they thrive while minimizing environmental impact.
We are proud to contribute to local biodiversity through ongoing donations to the Aiken Arboretum and support for local wildlife conservation efforts, helping to preserve and enhance our community’s natural ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.