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
Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica)
The most widely cultivated camellia in the world, Japanese Camellia is celebrated for its large, stunning blooms that range from pure white to deep crimson and every shade of pink in between. Native to Japan, China, and Korea, it is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach up to 9 metres tall. Its glossy, dark green leaves and long flowering season — from late autumn through spring — make it a prized ornamental plant in gardens worldwide.
Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis)
Perhaps the most economically significant camellia on earth, the Tea Plant is the source of all true teas — green, black, white, oolong, and pu-erh. Native to East and Southeast Asia, it is a hardy evergreen shrub with small, white, fragrant flowers. The leaves are rich in caffeine and antioxidants, and have been cultivated for thousands of years. Different processing methods of its leaves produce the remarkable diversity of teas enjoyed globally.
Sasanqua Camellia (Camellia sasanqua)
Originating from the islands of southern Japan, Sasanqua Camellia is one of the earliest-blooming camellias, typically flowering in autumn and early winter. Its flowers are smaller and more delicate than those of C. japonica, and they are often lightly fragrant — a rare trait among camellias. This species is highly versatile and tolerates full sun better than most camellias, making it popular for hedges, espaliers, and ground cover in warmer climates.
Yunnan Camellia (Camellia reticulata)
Known for producing some of the largest flowers in the genus, the Yunnan Camellia hails from the Yunnan province of southwest China, where it has been cultivated for over a thousand years. Its blooms can reach an extraordinary 20 cm or more in diameter, with a loose, semi-double to peony form in shades of pink and red. It typically grows into a large, open shrub or small tree and tends to bloom in late winter to early spring.
Fragrant Camellia (Camellia lutchuensis)
Native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, Camellia lutchuensis is notable for being one of the few truly fragrant camellias. Its small, white flowers emit a sweet, jasmine-like scent that is highly unusual within the genus. The plant itself is a graceful, small-leaved shrub with a somewhat cascading habit. It is most significant in horticulture as a parent plant, widely used in hybridisation programmes to introduce fragrance into larger-flowered camellia cultivars.
Chinese Camellia (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis)
This is the small-leaved Chinese variety of the tea plant, particularly suited to cooler growing climates at high altitudes. It is the primary variety used to produce delicate green teas and white teas, most famously those from Zhejiang, Fujian, and Darjeeling. The plant is compact and slow-growing, with small, bright white flowers and finely serrated leaves. It has a more pronounced tolerance for cooler temperatures compared to its Assam counterpart.
Assam Tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica)
The Assam variety of the tea plant is a large-leaved, tropical version native to the Assam region of northeastern India. It produces the bold, malty, full-bodied teas most associated with British-style breakfast blends. Growing naturally as a tree that can reach 15 metres, it is pruned into manageable bushes on tea estates. It thrives in hot, humid climates with heavy rainfall and is now grown extensively across India, Sri Lanka, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Granthamiana Camellia (Camellia granthamiana)
Discovered in Hong Kong in 1955, Camellia granthamiana is a rare and magnificent species that produces exceptionally large, pure white, single flowers with prominent yellow stamens. Found originally as a single wild specimen on a hillside, it was named after the then-Governor of Hong Kong. It is a large, vigorous shrub with distinctive large, leathery leaves and blooms in early winter. Due to its rarity in the wild, it holds considerable conservation importance.
Camellia of the Mountains (Camellia cuspidata)
A delicate and graceful species native to central and western China, Camellia cuspidata is a small-leaved, small-flowered camellia that produces masses of tiny white blooms in spring. It is more cold-hardy than many camellias and has been used extensively in hybridisation, contributing cold tolerance and prolific flowering habits to cultivars like ‘Cornish Snow.’ Its fine, pointed leaves give it an elegant, airy appearance that distinguishes it from its bolder relatives.
Camellia of the Forest (Camellia fraterna)
Native to eastern China, Camellia fraterna is a species known for producing small, white, delicately fragrant flowers with a subtle pinkish tinge at the base of the petals. It is a vigorous, spreading shrub that thrives in woodland conditions and partial shade. While not as commonly cultivated as many other species, it has been used in hybridisation to pass on its fragrance and free-flowering nature. Its informal, naturalistic appearance makes it well-suited to woodland garden settings.
Oil-seed Camellia (Camellia oleifera)
Grown extensively in China as an agricultural crop, Camellia oleifera is the primary source of camellia oil — a highly prized cooking and cosmetic oil used throughout East Asia. The plant is a hardy, drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with white flowers and produces fruit containing oil-rich seeds. Camellia oil is considered comparable to olive oil in its health properties and has been used in Chinese cuisine and skincare for centuries. It is also notable for its exceptional cold hardiness among camellias.
Camellia ‘Donation’ (Camellia × williamsii ‘Donation’)
One of the most beloved camellia hybrids ever raised, ‘Donation’ is a williamsii hybrid of outstanding quality, bred in England in the 1940s. It produces large, semi-double blooms of a clear orchid-pink with extraordinary freedom and consistency throughout late winter and spring. Unlike C. japonica cultivars, spent flowers fall cleanly from the plant rather than browning on the bush, making it exceptionally tidy. It is vigorous, upright, and reliable, earning it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Williamsii Camellia (Camellia × williamsii)
This is a hybrid group resulting from the cross between C. japonica and C. saluenensis, first made by J.C. Williams of Caerhays Castle in Cornwall in the 1920s. The resulting hybrids combine the flower size and variety of japonica with the hardiness and free-flowering nature of saluenensis. They are among the most garden-worthy of all camellias, blooming prolifically and tolerating cooler, more exposed conditions. The group includes dozens of popular cultivars that have become staples of temperate gardens worldwide.
Saluenensis Camellia (Camellia saluenensis)
Named after the Salween River in Yunnan, China, where it was collected by plant hunter George Forrest in the early 20th century, this species is a medium-sized, free-flowering shrub with clear pink to rose-red single flowers. It is notably hardier than many camellias and blooms with exceptional generosity over a long period in late winter and spring. Its greatest legacy is as a parent of the williamsii hybrids, which have transformed camellia cultivation in cooler climates.
Vietnam Camellia (Camellia vietnamensis)
Native to coastal regions of Vietnam and southern China, Camellia vietnamensis is a large, vigorous species that produces white to pale pink flowers and is notable for its exceptional tolerance of salt-laden coastal winds and poor soils. It blooms in winter and is one of the later-discovered species to gain popularity in Western horticulture. The species has also attracted attention for its oil-producing seeds, and it is considered one of the most heat-tolerant camellias available for warm-climate gardening.
Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’ (Camellia × cuspidata ‘Cornish Snow’)
A charming hybrid between C. cuspidata and C. saluenensis, ‘Cornish Snow’ is an elegant, arching shrub that smothers itself in small, pure white, single flowers in early spring. Raised at Caerhays Castle in Cornwall, it has a graceful, informal habit that suits woodland or cottage garden settings beautifully. The sheer volume of its bloom — with thousands of flowers appearing simultaneously — creates a breathtaking snowfall effect. It is among the most free-flowering of all camellias and grows vigorously in a wide range of conditions.
Camellia ‘Nicky Crisp’ (Camellia japonica ‘Nicky Crisp’)
A New Zealand-bred cultivar of great charm and refinement, ‘Nicky Crisp’ bears large, semi-double flowers of a soft lavender-pink that is unusual and highly sought after in camellia collections. The blooms have broad, overlapping petals with a silky texture and a clear, cool tone that sets it apart from the warmer pinks common in the genus. It is a compact, slow-growing shrub that suits smaller garden spaces, and its exceptional flower quality has earned it awards and widespread popularity in camellia societies internationally.
Camellia ‘Black Lace’ (Camellia japonica ‘Black Lace’)
A cultivar of striking drama and elegance, ‘Black Lace’ is famed for its deep, velvety, formal double flowers in the darkest red-black tone achievable in a camellia. The perfectly arranged petals are symmetrical and tightly packed, creating an almost artificial appearance of extraordinary beauty. It is a slow-growing, compact shrub suited to containers and small gardens. The deep colour is best preserved with some shade protection from intense sunlight, and it remains one of the most admired dark-flowered camellias in cultivation.
Camellia ‘Jury’s Yellow’ (Camellia japonica × Camellia lutchuensis ‘Jury’s Yellow’)
Bred by Les Jury in New Zealand, ‘Jury’s Yellow’ broke new ground when it was introduced by appearing to offer a creamy ivory-yellow centre to its white anemone-form blooms — the closest any camellia had come to producing a true yellow flower. It is a compact, medium-growing shrub that blooms reliably in mid-season. The flowers have outer white petals surrounding a dense cushion of petaloids with a warm cream-yellow tone. It remains one of the most novel and admired cultivars among camellia enthusiasts.
Camellia ‘Anticipation’ (Camellia × williamsii ‘Anticipation’)
A tall, vigorous williamsii hybrid raised by Les Jury in New Zealand, ‘Anticipation’ produces very large, deep rose-pink, peony-form flowers with great regularity and abundance throughout late winter and spring. Its upright habit makes it ideal as a specimen tree or for training against a wall. The flowers are carried on arching branches and fall cleanly when spent, keeping the plant looking neat throughout the season. It has received numerous awards and is considered one of the finest large-flowered williamsii hybrids available.
Camellia ‘Survivor’ (Camellia japonica ‘Survivor’)
As its name suggests, ‘Survivor’ is a cultivar renowned for its exceptional toughness and adaptability, capable of withstanding conditions that would stress most camellias, including exposure, wind, and relatively poor soils. Its flowers are a rich, vibrant red of single to semi-double form and appear reliably and prolifically each season. The plant grows vigorously into a large, bushy shrub with handsome, deep green foliage. It is a popular choice for hedging and screening in challenging garden environments.
Camellia ‘Bob Hope’ (Camellia japonica ‘Bob Hope’)
Named in honour of the beloved comedian and entertainer, this American-bred cultivar is a standout for its large, semi-double blooms of a rich, deep red with an attractive boss of golden stamens at the centre. It is a vigorous, upright grower with bold, glossy foliage that sets off the flowers beautifully. Flowering in mid to late season, it extends the camellia display well into spring. ‘Bob Hope’ is a robust, reliable performer that has earned widespread popularity in gardens across mild-climate regions.
Camellia ‘Yuletide’ (Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’)
One of the most popular sasanqua cultivars in cultivation, ‘Yuletide’ earns its festive name by blooming in vivid scarlet red right through the Christmas season in the Northern Hemisphere. Its single, cup-shaped flowers with bright yellow stamens appear in great profusion on a compact, upright shrub with small, glossy, dark green leaves. It tolerates full sun and heat well, is suitable for hedging and topiary, and is a favourite choice for holiday garden decoration in warm-climate gardens across the United States, Australia, and beyond.
Camellia ‘Setsugekka’ (Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’)
A classic and much-admired Japanese sasanqua cultivar, ‘Setsugekka’ — meaning “snow, moon, and flowers” — produces large, ruffled, semi-double white flowers with a delicate, tissue-paper quality and a soft yellow centre. It is a vigorous, arching shrub that flowers abundantly in autumn, and its large blooms are notably impressive for a sasanqua. The plant is widely used in Japanese-style gardens and suits espalier training beautifully. It is considered one of the finest white-flowered autumn-blooming camellias available to gardeners.
Camellia ‘Spring Festival’ (Camellia cuspidata hybrid ‘Spring Festival’)
A late-season hybrid of slender, columnar habit, ‘Spring Festival’ is covered from top to bottom in small, formal double flowers of soft shell pink in mid to late spring — often when other camellias have finished blooming. Its narrow, upright form makes it ideal for tight spaces, entranceways, and container growing. The tiny, perfectly formed blooms are borne in exceptional abundance along every stem, creating a vertical column of pink that is both unique and highly ornamental. It is one of the most distinctive camellias in cultivation.
Camellia ‘Elegant Beauty’ (Camellia × williamsii ‘Elegant Beauty’)
A williamsii hybrid of graceful, arching form, ‘Elegant Beauty’ produces large, anemone-form flowers of a warm, deep rose-pink with a loose arrangement of petals and petaloids that gives the blooms a romantically dishevelled charm. It is a vigorous, spreading shrub that looks stunning when allowed to grow informally over a wall or bank. Flowering in mid-season, it is reliably free-blooming and the flowers drop cleanly. Its combination of flower beauty, strong growth, and adaptability has made it a long-standing favourite.
Camellia ‘Crimson King’ (Camellia japonica ‘Crimson King’)
A reliable and handsome japonicacultivar bearing bright, unfading crimson single flowers with a bold ring of golden-yellow stamens throughout mid-season. The simplicity and clarity of the single flower form allows the vivid colour and central stamens to make maximum impact. It grows as a medium to large upright shrub with rich, dark, glossy foliage. ‘Crimson King’ is a time-tested cultivar valued for its dependability, vigour, and long season of bloom, and remains widely grown in gardens and parks throughout temperate regions.
Camellia ‘Show Girl’ (Camellia × reticulata hybrid ‘Show Girl’)
A hybrid with C. reticulata parentage, ‘Show Girl’ lives up to its theatrical name with enormous, semi-double flowers of a clear, vibrant pink that can reach extraordinary sizes under favourable conditions. It is a large, vigorous shrub or small tree that commands attention wherever it is grown and blooms in mid to late season. The loose, informal arrangement of the large petals gives the flowers a natural, almost wild beauty. It performs best in warm, sheltered gardens where its massive blooms are protected from wind and rain.
Camellia ‘Ice Follies’ (Camellia japonica ‘Ice Follies’)
A cool and serene cultivar bearing formal double flowers of the purest white with a flawlessly symmetrical arrangement of petals that unfurl in perfect concentric circles. It is a medium-growing, compact shrub with dark, polished foliage that provides a striking contrast to the pristine blooms. Flowering in mid-season, it is a reliable and tidy performer well-suited to formal garden settings, entrances, and containers. The name evokes the crisp, immaculate character of the flowers, and ‘Ice Follies’ is widely admired for its classic, refined beauty.
Camellia ‘Buttons ‘n Bows’ (Camellia japonica ‘Buttons ‘n Bows’)
A delightfully dainty cultivar producing small, formal double flowers of a soft, warm pink with a perfectly rounded, button-like form and a gentle deeper shading toward the petal edges. The flowers are carried in great profusion on a compact, bushy shrub that is well-suited to smaller gardens, courtyard plantings, and containers. Its miniature-scale blooms have a sweetness and intricacy that appeals to collectors who appreciate the finer details of camellia flower form. It is a mid-season bloomer and is admired as much for its charm as for its dependable, free-flowering nature.