Camellia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas in eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalayas east to Japan and Indonesia. There are more than 220 described species. Camellias are popular ornamental, tea, and woody-oil plants cultivated worldwide for centuries. Over 26,000 cultivars, with more than 51,000 cultivar names, including synonyms, have been registered or published.
Camellias retain their leaves year-round, providing perpetual green color in the garden. The leaves are typically dark green, shiny, and leathery to the touch. Flowers come in various colors, including white, pink, red, and sometimes yellow or variegated, while many camellias have little to no fragrance, some species, like Camellia lutchuensis, offer a sweet scent.
They can grow as shrubs or small trees. Depending on the variety, they might have an upright, spreading, or even weeping form. Mature height can range from 6 to 15 feet for most garden varieties, but some can grow much taller if left unpruned. Depending on the species, camellias bloom from late fall through early spring, providing color during times when few other plants are in flower.
Generally, camellias are hardy in USDA zones 7-9, with some varieties and species suitable for zone 6 or with protection, and others for warmer climates. They can live for a hundred years or more with proper care. Minimal pruning is required, mainly for shaping or removing dead or damaged wood. Pruning should be done just after flowering.
Camelia Plant Varieties
Camellia japonica
- Growth: Can grow up to 6-12 feet tall, but there are dwarf varieties as well.
- Flowers: Blooms can be from 2 to 5 inches in diameter with colors ranging from pure white through all shades of pink to deep red, sometimes with variegated petals.
- Leaves: Dark green, glossy, with a serrated edge.
- Cultivation: Prefers partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil. Hardy in USDA zones 7-9.
Camellia sasanqua
- Growth: Typically grows smaller than C. japonica, around 6-10 feet tall.
- Flowers: Flowers are usually 1.5 to 3 inches across, often with a more informal, sometimes ruffled look. They have a sweet fragrance.
- Leaves: Smaller and narrower than those of C. japonica.
- Cultivation: More sun-tolerant than other camellias, good for hedges. Hardy in zones 7-9.
Camellia sinensis
- Growth: Can be kept as a shrub or small tree (up to 15 feet if not pruned).
- Flowers: Small (about 1-1.5 inches), white with yellow stamens, slightly fragrant.
- Leaves: The source of tea; they are light green, elongated, and matte rather than glossy.
- Cultivation: Thrives in high humidity with regular watering, prefers zones 7-9.
Camellia reticulata
- Growth: Can grow to be quite large, up to 50 feet in the wild, but usually kept smaller in cultivation.
- Flowers: Very large, up to 6 inches or more, with a loose peony or semi-double form.
- Leaves: Larger, net-veined, somewhat less shiny.
- Cultivation: Needs protection from cold winds, less hardy than japonica, suitable for zones 8-10.
Camellia oleifera
- Growth: Tree-like, reaching up to 20 feet tall.
- Flowers: White, small, but numerous, blooming in late autumn to winter.
- Leaves: Dark green with a leathery texture.
- Cultivation: Used for oil production, tolerant of colder climates than some camellias, zones 6-9.
Camellia tsaii
- Growth: Smaller shrub, around 6-10 feet.
- Flowers: Very similar to C. sinensis but can be distinguished by its smaller leaves and habitat.
- Leaves: Smaller than C. sinensis, with a pointed tip.
- Cultivation: Less commonly cultivated outside its native regions.
Camellia lutchuensis
- Growth: A small shrub, often only 3-6 feet tall.
- Flowers: Highly fragrant, small white flowers, often with a hint of pink at the base of petals.
- Leaves: Small, delicate, with fine serrations.
- Cultivation: Prefers acidic soil, partial shade, zones 8-10.
Camellia chrysantha (nitidissima)
- Growth: Can grow up to 10-15 feet tall.
- Flowers: Known for its unique yellow flowers, which are small but striking against the dark foliage.
- Leaves: Glossy, dark green, lance-shaped.
- Cultivation: More finicky about conditions, prefers warm, humid climates, zones 8-10.
Camellia saluenensis
- Growth: Variable, generally 6-15 feet.
- Flowers: Small to medium-sized, white to pale pink, often used in breeding for its hardiness.
- Leaves: Bright green, less glossy than japonica.
- Cultivation: Good for hybridization, tolerates a range of conditions, zones 7-9.
Camellia grijsii
- Growth: Usually kept as a shrub, around 6-10 feet.
- Flowers: Small, white with a pleasant fragrance, notable for blooming over a long period.
- Leaves: Smaller, with a distinctive curl, dark green.
- Cultivation: Adaptable to different soil types but prefers well-drained, acidic soil, zones 7-9.
Camellia x williamsii
- Growth: Often around 8-12 feet tall, but can be larger with age.
- Flowers: Medium to large, many varieties exist with different colors, often with a “falling” habit where flowers drop neatly from the plant.
- Leaves: Typically dark green, similar to C. japonica but often more resistant to cold.
- Cultivation: One of the most cold-hardy hybrids, excellent for colder regions, zones 6b-9.
Camellia euryoides
- Growth: Compact, usually reaching 3-6 feet in height.
- Flowers: Small, white, bell-shaped, quite charming when viewed up close.
- Leaves: Narrow, dark green with a pointed tip.
- Cultivation: Prefers light shade, good for small gardens or container growing, zones 7-9.
Camellia yunnanensis
- Growth: Can grow up to 15-20 feet tall in ideal conditions, often smaller in cultivation.
- Flowers: White or light pink, medium-sized with a slight fragrance. Flowers can have a more open, wild look.
- Leaves: Larger than many other camellias, with a rough texture.
- Cultivation: Requires well-drained soil, can tolerate some drought once established, zones 7-9.
Camellia brevistyla
- Growth: Typically a bush or small tree, around 6-10 feet tall.
- Flowers: Small, white, with prominent yellow stamens. The name refers to the short styles of the flowers.
- Leaves: Dark green, elliptic with a fine serration.
- Cultivation: Prefers acidic soils, partial shade, good for woodland gardens, zones 8-10.
Camellia cuspidata
- Growth: Reaches up to 10 feet in height but often kept pruned to smaller sizes.
- Flowers: Small, white flowers, often with a copper tint when young.
- Leaves: Notably pointed (cuspidate), giving this species its name, with a lighter underside.
- Cultivation: Adaptable, but thrives in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil, zones 7-9.
Camellia taliensis
- Growth: Can grow quite large, up to 20 feet or more in its natural habitat.
- Flowers: Creamy white, relatively large for wild species, with a mild fragrance.
- Leaves: Large, broad, with prominent venation, used in tea breeding for flavor enhancement.
- Cultivation: Prefers subtropical climates, not as cold-hardy, zones 8-10.
Camellia amplexicaulis
- Growth: Shrub or small tree, up to 10 feet.
- Flowers: Large, from pink to red, the flowers are quite showy with a somewhat tropical appearance.
- Leaves: Stem-clasping (amplexicaul), which is a distinctive feature, dark green.
- Cultivation: Requires good drainage and protection from harsh winds, zones 8-10.
Camellia fraterna
- Growth: Usually grows as a shrub, around 4-12 feet tall.
- Flowers: Small, white to pale pink, often in clusters, with a sweet fragrance.
- Leaves: Smaller, slightly serrated, with a lighter green tone.
- Cultivation: Thrives in light shade, suitable for woodland settings, zones 7-9.
Camellia forrestii
- Growth: A smaller shrub, often around 3-8 feet tall.
- Flowers: Very small, white, often overlooked but charming in close view.
- Leaves: Small, narrow, with a matte finish, quite delicate.
- Cultivation: Best in partial shade, requires moisture but well-drained soil, zones 8-10.
Camellia transnokoensis
- Growth: Compact shrub, usually not exceeding 6 feet.
- Flowers: Miniature white flowers, often with a pinkish hue at the edges or in the center.
- Leaves: Tiny, giving the plant an overall delicate appearance.
- Cultivation: Prefers cooler, shaded locations, good for small gardens or bonsai, zones 8-10.
Camellia pitardii
- Growth: Variable, can be a shrub or small tree up to 15 feet.
- Flowers: Variable in color from white to deep pink, medium-sized flowers.
- Leaves: Elliptic to lanceolate, dark green with noticeable veins.
- Cultivation: Hardy to some frost, requires acidic soil, zones 7-9.
Camellia cheekii
- Growth: Can grow to 10-15 feet tall but often pruned to maintain shape.
- Flowers: Known for its distinctive red flowers, which is quite rare for camellias naturally.
- Leaves: Glossy, green, with a slightly wavy edge.
- Cultivation: Prefers partial shade to full sun with protection from intense midday sun, zones 8-10.
Camellia rosaeflora
- Growth: Typically a medium-sized shrub, 6-12 feet.
- Flowers: Flowers resemble small roses, usually light pink with a dense petal arrangement.
- Leaves: Medium-sized, with a smooth texture.
- Cultivation: Enjoys similar conditions to most camellias, partial shade, zones 7-9.
Camellia semiserrata
- Growth: Can grow into a large shrub or small tree, up to 15 feet.
- Flowers: Large, semi-double, with petals that have serrated edges, giving a unique texture to the blooms.
- Leaves: Large, dark green, with a semi-serrated edge mirroring the flowers.
- Cultivation: Best grown in climates where late frosts are not a concern, as it blooms early, zones 8-10.