Photos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world//Getty Images
Camellias have been loved for centuries for their elegant, graceful blooms. These broad-leaved evergreen shrubs or small trees bloom in fall and winter when little else is going on in the garden. Their large, lush blooms range from pure white to every shade of pink and red you can imagine. Depending on the variety, flowers appear from fall to early spring, with blooms lasting several weeks.
Camellias are incredibly versatile, too. “They are wonderful in containers and landscape plantings,” says Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter for Monrovia. “They’re also easy to take care of once established and are fairly water-wise. They’re a great option for part-shade situations.”
According to the American Camellia Society, there are more than 200 known species. The types most commonly grown in landscapes include Camellia sasanqua, C. japonica, and C. reticulata. The type Camellias sinensis is a type grown for teas, says Tamony.
With thousands of varieties now available, you’ll find one (or more!) here to love. Native to Asia, these shrubs grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10, although a few new cold-hardy types can tolerate zone 6 (check your zone here). Many of the new hybrids are more disease-resistant and easy-to-grow, so they make a great addition to garden styles ranging from peaceful zen gardens to lush English gardens.
Read on to learn about some of the most beautiful types of camellias you can grow in your garden now.
This hybrid between a sasanqua and japonica has a semi-weeping form with large bell-shaped flowers in red and white. It’s especially appealing because it adds winter charm to the garden until Christmas.
This fall bloomer is loaded with blooms that have white to blush pink petals. The flowers look especially handsome against the dark green foliage. Because of its compact form, this type of camellia fits well in small gardens.
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'Alabama Beauty' Camellia
Southern Living Plant Collection
Botanical Name: Camellia sasanqua ‘TDN 1111’
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
USDA Zones: 7 to 9
Size: 12 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide
Bloom Time: Fall
Large pinkish-red semi-double blooms make this camellia a standout in any garden. It’s one of the earliest types of camellias to flower in fall. Plant several as an attractive privacy hedge.
This bushy camellia keeps a nice, compact form and is covered with lovely porcelain-white blooms that don’t even look real! It works well as an accent plant, foundation planting, or in mixed borders.
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'Early Wonder' Camellia
Southern Living Plant Collection
Botanical Name: Camellia japonica 'Early Autumn'
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
USDA zones: 7 to 9
Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide
Bloom time: Fall
Double blooms in an unusual lavender-pink shade make this type of camellia a winner. It has an upright form that works well as a border or privacy planting.
This camellia is an excellent choice in warm climates for its long bloom time and large, showy deep red blooms that are about four inches wide. It also makes a handsome espalier plant.
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'Just Chill Double Mauve' Camellia
Proven Winners
Botanical Name: Camellia x 'FARROWCJH' USPP 36,117
Sunlight: Part shade to full sun
USDA Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 5 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide
Bloom Time: Fall to early winter
This cold-hardy hybrid camellia has thick foliage and pretty bright pink flowers that pop in the fall landscape. It makes an ideal hedge with fragrant flowers.
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'Nuccio's Gem' Camellia
Monrovia, by Doreen Wynja
Botanical Name: Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Gem'
Sunlight: Full shade to part sun
USDA Zones: 8 to 10
Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and wide
Bloom Time: Winter
The pure white double-blooms of this plant pop against dark green foliage. This variety lends a formal feel to gardens, so plant it alongside other classics such as boxwoods.
Large, pink fragrant blooms make this type of camellia a coveted addition for the landscape. Blooming in time for the holidays, the huge flowers are beautiful in centerpieces.
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'Just Chill Double White' Camellia
Proven Winners
Botanical Name: Camellia x 'FARROWCJWD' USPP 36,304
Sunlight: Part shade to part sun
USDA zones: 8 to 10
Size: 5 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide
Bloom time: Fall to winter
This hybrid bloomer offers tons of bright white flowers in colder climates. It blooms from fall into winter to provide off-season interest to your garden.
Handsome double blooms in blush pink make this a must-have addition to your camellia collection. Mid-season blooms give you something to look forward to as winter moves toward spring.
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'Silver Waves' Camellia
Monrovia, by Doreen Wynja
Botanical Name: Camellia japonica 'Silver Waves'
Sunlight: Full shade to part sun
USDA Zones: 8 to 10
Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and wide
Bloom Time: Winter to early spring
Huge white blooms with large yellow centers draw attention as only a camellia can! It’s spectacular when grown in mass plantings.
This camellia stays low and wide to the ground, with a unique weeping form. This makes it a great foundation planting or to use in raised beds where its branches will drape over the edges of planters.
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'Yuletide' Camellia
Monrovia, by Brandon Friend-Solis
Botanical Name: Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'
Sunlight: Full shade to part sun
USDA Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 8 to 10 feet tall and wide
Bloom Time: Winter
This stunning camellia boasts single red blooms with gorgeous yellow stamens set against shiny, dark green leaves, just in time for the holidays. It's easy to see how it earned its Christmassy name.
This semi-double camellia is charming in hanging baskets or as a foundation planting. The bright white flowers contrast beautifully with the dark green foliage.
