Oh, Oh, Oh, It’s Magic: October Magic Camellias Make Fall Pop
Fall is here, and that means camellias are back in bloom! For southern gardeners, these diverse evergreen shrubs provide color from fall through spring, and structure all year. While they’ve been a southern staple for centuries, camellias haven’t lost their allure. Thanks to dedicated backyard enthusiasts and professional breeders, new varieties are being discovered and released every year. We can thank Southern Living Plants for one of the most exciting releases in modern years, the October Magic Series of fall-blooming camellias. This collection proves you can teach an old plant new tricks.
A Bit of the Story
Legendary plantsman Bobby Green developed these selections in Fairhope/Mobile, Alabama, choosing only the best of the best seedlings over decades of careful plant breeding. Intended to showcase a refined version of the camellia species Camellia sasanqua, they were bred to bloom in the fall, offer manageable sizes, and maintain the signature camellia beauty gardeners already know and love. And since they were born and bred along the Gulf Coast, they can hold their own in our wild weather.
Why the October Magic® Series Matters
Any color in the landscape is good, but color when it counts, well, that’s pure gold. Fall-blooming camellias bring blooms to your home at a time of year when you can actually step outside to enjoy them. Just as the air cools and southerners again step outside their air-conditioned homes, October Magic camellias burst into boisterous bloom, their colorful petals lining garden paths, as if to welcome us back to the outdoors. These colorful blooms set the backdrop to your family’s autumnal activities—roasting marshmallows around a fire, drinks with close friends, or just a cup of coffee on a cold morning.
Because the series was developed for size, shape, and flowering in our region, you get shrubs that deliver big on blooms, but not too big on growth. Their compact sizes fit the home landscape without overwhelming it. Whether in pots, around a patio, or used as a hedge, these 3-8’ tall plants will do their job without needing constant trimming.
Versatility in Shape, Size, and Color
One of the best parts of the series is that you have options. Whether you want a compact, rounded shrub for the front border, a columnar form beside a porch, or something in between, there’s a variety. Here are some highlights:
- October Magic® Rose is tall, upright (columnar) and features coral-red double blooms.
- October Magic® Ruby is more compact and mounding, with double, deep red flowers.
- October Magic® Inspiration offers white flowers edged in maroon and an upright-bushy habit.
The color palette ranges from pure whites and creams to pinks, blushes, ruby and rose tones — so you can mix and match for layered interest, bold contrast or a unified tone. The series also makes pairing easier: imagine a row of compact varieties as a low hedge, then a taller form behind for staging — all blooming at the same time in fall/winter.
How To Use Them in Your Landscape
- Front yard impact: Use a tighter form like Snow, Bride, or Ruby in the front border for early fall color without giant scale.
- Side yard or next to patio: Use a taller form like Rose or Dawn to frame a space, provide vertical interest and blooms when you’ll be out enjoying evening air.
- Mixed bed or woodland edge: Scatter several different October Magic® varieties to get blooms across different heights, shapes and colors — this avoids monotony and creates a richer garden feel.
- Under pine trees or dappled shade: Many sasanqua camellias do well with morning sun, afternoon shade or filtered light — ideal for southern yards where full sun may be limited.
If you’re looking to add impact to your landscape this fall, the Southern Living October Magic® Series is a smart pick. It checks a lot of boxes: early color, manageable size, garden versatility, and the timeless appeal of camellias. Stop in, take a look at our selection, pick one that suits your spot — and let it bloom for you when the garden needs it most.