Welcome a beautiful blooming camellia to your landscape

Searching for an attractive, evergreen, blooming shrub for your garden? Perhaps a camellia is in your future. Year-round large, glossy leaves, profuse blooms in colors ranging from true white to pale pink to robust red with endless variations, minimal cultural demands, and drought tolerant once established…what’s not to like?

Two types of camellias

There are two primary species of camellias in American gardens: japonica and sasanqua.

Japonicas flower winter through spring. They prefer some shade or dappled sunshine. Spring is a wonderful time to shop for japonicas as most nurseries will have plants in bloom. The variety of colors, shapes, and sizes of blooms is almost overwhelming.

Sasanquas flower autumn through early winter. They can tolerate more sun and are more drought tolerant. A mixture of the two in your garden can provide you with several seasons of spectacular blooms! Look for sasanquas from late summer to autumn to select a plant in bloom. Many varieties of sasanquas are quite fragrant.

So many camellias to choose from!

Check out 20 beautiful camellias. Click on the photos for more images and growing details.

Pick up petals

Both species of camellia are relatively pest free, but it is important to clean up fallen blooms and leaves to prevent petal blight or other fungal infections. Remove and dispose of fallen, old, and infected flowers. Do not add these to compost piles.

Growing and pruning camellias

Camellias prefer well-draining acid soil. Mix in several inches of compost or other organic material at planting time to provide nutrients and aid drainage. When first planted, camellias require regular deep watering. Once well established, they require minimal water. Feed with a balanced fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants.

Prune camellias after they have finished blooming. A bit of pruning to remove dead, diseased, or weak branches as well as opening up the plant to air will help your camellias thrive. Learn more about pruning camellias.