Types of camellias: the most beautiful Camellia japonica varieties & other species

Camellia japonica is the queen of any garden. Let us show you the most beautiful Camellia japonica varieties and other popular types of camellias.

Originally from the far East, camellias (Camellia) are an absolute eye-catcher in any garden. In the beginning, they were not cultivated as ornamental plants, but for the production of black and green tea and therefore belong to the family of tea plants (Theaceae). Despite its origins as a useful plant, the camellia has also become a fixture in our home gardens, with the Camellia japonica species dominating in particular. We present the most beautiful varieties of the Camellia japonica species and give you an insight into other types of camellias here.

Camellia japonica: properties and origin

Camellia japonica is the best known of all camellia species. It captivates with its incredible flowers, which appear early in the year. While the outdoor camellia comes into bloom between February and April, much of the garden is still in deep hibernation. This is one reason why the camellia was one of the most frequently drawn plant motifs in ancient Japan and China. Most of the camellias offered in our country belong to the Camellia japonica species and can even bloom as early as December if kept in pots.

In addition to lush blooms, the camellia also knows how to impress with its leathery glossy leaves. The name “camellia” was given to the plant in the 18th century. It is named after the Jesuit priest George Kamel, who introduced it to England in 1740. The oldest specimen, however, is in Portugal and is said to be about 470 years old. So, with proper care camellia can reach a stately age, with which it will far outlive any passionate gardener.

Camellia japonica: the 50 most beautiful varieties

Nowadays, several hundred Camellia japonica cultivars and hybrid varieties are known. A select few of them can be purchased in any well-stocked garden centre, other varieties, in turn, are available only from the growers themselves. Here, we give an overview of the most popular varieties.

• Adolphe Audusson: Glowing red flowers with yellow stamens from January to March; growing height up to 1.5 m; hardy to -18 °C
• April Dawn: White flowers with pink speckles from February to April; growing height up to 2 m; hardy to -20 °C
• April Kiss: Bright pink flowers from October to January; growth height up to 3 m; hardy to -18 °C
• April Rose: Vivid pink flowers from February to April; growth height up to 2.4 m; winter hardy to -20 °C
• April Snow: White flowers with yellow stamens in April; growing height up to 2.4 m; hardy to -24 °C
• April Tryst: Red flowers in April; growing height up to 2.4 m; hardy to -28 °C
  

• Alba Plena: Innocent white flowers from October to January; growth height up to 2.4 m; winter hardy to -18 °C
• Alba Simplex: Pure white flowers from February to March; growth height up to 1.7 m; hardy to -18 °C
• Angela Cocchi: White flowers with red markings from February to May; hardy to -15 °C
• April Kiss: Bright pink flowers from October to January; growth height up to 3 m; hardy to -18°C
• Ave Maria: Pale pink flowers from October to March; growing height up to 3.6 m; hardy to -18 °C
• Black Lace: Velvety, dark red, densely double flower from February to May; triangular petals; very good winter hardiness to -21 °C; well branched; flowering; growth height to 2 m
• Blood of China: Fragrant flowers from February to April; growth height up to 2.5 m; hardy to -18 °C
• Bob Hope: Cherry red flowers with yellow stamens from January to March; growth height to 2.4 m; hardy to -18 °C
• Bob’s Tinsie: Cherry red flowers from February to April; growth height up to 2.5 m; hardy to -28 °C
• Bonomiana Nova: Pink flowers from February to April; growing height up to 2 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Brushfield’s Yellow: White flowers with a yellow centre from February to May; growth height up to 2 m; hardy to -18 °C

• Commander Mulroy: White flowers from March to April; height up to 2.5 m; hardy to -15 °C
• Comte de Gomer: Pale pink flowers with pink stripe pattern from March to May; height up to 3 m; hardy to -15 °C
• Coquettii: Deep pink flowers from February to May; growth height up to 1.5 m; hardy to -18 °C
• Curly Lady: Red flowers from March to April; with twisted shoots; growth height to 2.5 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Daikagura: Pink-white marbled flowers from February to March; height up to 3 m; winter hardy down to -12 °C
• Debbie: Bright pink flowers from February to April; growing height up to 2.5 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Desire: White-pink flowers with a pink border from February to April; growth height up to 3 m; hardy to -12 °C

• Dixie Knight: Intense pink flowers from January to March; growth height up to 2.5 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Dr. Burnside: Red flowers from February to April; growth height up to 0.8 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Dr. King: Red flowers from January to March; growing height up to 2 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Dr. Tinsley: Light pink flowers that turn pink toward the edge; blooms from February to March; grows to 2.5 m tall; hardy to -15 °C
• Drama Girl: Flowers in dark salmon pink from January to May; growing height up to 3 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Elegans: Dark pink flowers from December to May; growing height up to 3 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Eugenia de Montijo: Fire-red flowers in winter; growing height up to 3 m; hardy to -18 °C

• Flame: Vigorous, bright red flower; blooms outdoors as early as mid-January to April; hardy to -20 °C
• Fleur de Pecher: Semi-double, pale pink flowers from March to May; height of growth to 1.2 m; hardy to -14 °C
• General Coletti: Red-white marbled flowers from March to April; growing height up to 2.5 m; hardy with winter protection
• Golden Anniversary: Shimmering golden yellow, white flowers from March to April; growth height up to 1.5 m; hardy to -15 °C
• Grace Albritton: Light pink flowers with dark pink fringe from February to March; growing height up to 3 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Greensboro Red: Dark red flowers from March to April; growing height up to 2.5 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Hawai: Pink flowers with white, fringed fringe from February to May; hardy to -15 °C
• Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Salmon pink flowers
• Hagoromo/Magnoliiflora: Light pink flowers from February to April; growing height up to 3 m; hardy to -15 °C

• Imbricata Rubra: Double, light red flowers with white pattern from February to May; growing height up to 1.5 m; winter hardy to -15 °C
• Italiana: Pink flowers from March to April; growth height up to 1.5 m; hardy
• Janet Waterhouse: White, medium-sized, semi-double flower with yellow stamens from March to May; elongated, dark green glossy foliage
• Jupiter: Salmon-coloured flower; partly white spots; yellow stamens; evergreen leaves with slightly rounded edges; hardy
• Lady Campbell: Vivid red flower; fluffy, slightly intertwined arrangement of petals; growth height up to 2 m; hardy
• Lavinia Maggi: Baby pink flowers with pink stripes from February to May; growing height up to 2.4 m; hardy to -18 °C
• Matterhorn: Double, white flower with pastel yellow flower center from February to May; low growing height; hardy to -20 °C
• Charley Cobb: Matte red flowers from March to May; growth height to 0.8 m; not hardy
• Oki No Nami: Light pink flowers with red speckles and stripes from February to April; hardy to -20 °C

Other types of camellias

There are ten camellia species in total, with the species camellia japonica often referred to as representative of the entire genus. We present some other exotic species and explain their peculiarities below.

Camellia sasanqua (Scented camellia)

Also a large number of varieties available; flowering already in autumn (from October); flowers exude a delicate fragrance and tolerate a lot of sun; not hardy.

• Beatrice Emily: Double, white flowers with pink fringe from December
• Betty Lynda: White flowers and pink buds from October
• Dwarf Shishi: Red flowers from December
• Gay: White flowers from September
• Early Pearly: Double white flowers from October
• Koto No Kaori: Pink flowers
• Mariotti Bacchi: Semi-double, pink flowers
• New Dawn: Pink flowers from October
• Plantation Pink: candy pink flowers from October
• Rubra: Bright pink flowers from December

Camellia x williamsii

The first camellia hybrids were created by crossing camellia japonica and camellia saluenensis; good winter hardiness; grows very upright in sunny to semi-shaded sites.

• Anticipation: Bright red flowers from February to May; hardy to -18 °C
• Blue Danube: Blue-pink flowers from March to May
• Donation: Pink flowers with lighter fringe from January to March; growing height up to 4.5 m; hardy to -12 °C
• G. Waterhouse: Pink flowers from February to April; hardy to -15 °C
• Elegant Beauty: Pink flowers from March to May; hardy to -20 °C
• Elsie Jury: Light pink flowers from March to May
• Jury’s Yellow: Double, white flowers with yellow centres from February to May; growing height to 4 m; hardy to -18 °C
• Mary Christian: Pink flowers from February to April; hardy to -18 °C
• Ruby Wedding: Red flowers from March to April
• Water Lily: Porcelain pink flowers from February to April; hardy to -18 °C

Camellia lutchuensis

Very sweet smelling, white flowers in late winter into spring; native to Asia; sun to partial shade; hardy to -12 °C.

• High Fragrance: Pale pink flowers from March to April; growing height up to 3.5 m; hardy to -12 °C
• Cinnamon Cindy: White flowers from November to April
• Scented bell: Pink flowers from February to May; hardy to -10 °C
• Sweet Emily Kate: Pale pink flowers from March to May

Camellia petelotii

Native to Vietnam and China; growth height 1 – 1.5 m; flowers in pairs, usually bright colours and with few petals; stem-like leaves.

Camellia saluensis

Native to China; shrubby habit up to 2 m tall; blooms in late spring; flower colours vary from white to pink to deep red; single, often bicoloured flowers.

• Barbara Clark: Semi-double, pink flowers from February to May; hardy to -18 °C
• Louis Polizzi: Pale pink flowers from March to May; not hardy

Camellia sinensis (Chinese camellia)

Originally grown for green and black tea; nevertheless, high ornamental value; one of the oldest cultivated species with countless varieties.

Types of camellias for planting in beds

Some varieties of camellias are particularly hardy to low temperatures, and therefore, in the right location and with proper protection in winter, can be planted in garden beds. These ten colourful varieties also come into bloom in flowerbeds:

• Adolphe Audusson: Semi-double, red flowers with white speckles from February to May
• Black Lace: Dark red, double flowers from March to April
• Debbie: Pink double flowers from February to April
• Hagoromo: Light pink flowers from February to April
• April Dawn: White-pink flowers with bright pink stripe pattern from February to April
• Matterhorn: White, double flowers from February to May
• Mikuni-no-homare: Pale pink flowers with pink veining
• Spring Festival: Salmon pink flowers from February to April
• Wheeler: Dark pink, semi-double flowers from February to April
• Winter’s Star: Reddish purple flowers from October to November

You can find the best varieties of camellias, which can survive winter outside with proper protection, in our article on the subject of overwintering camellias.

Tip: In addition to the variety, the nutrient supply is also an important prerequisite for magnificent camellia flowers. Use a plant-based fertiliser such as our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food.

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