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Varieties Worth Growing
The camellia genus offers something for nearly every corner of the garden. Camellia japonica varieties bloom from late winter into early spring, unfurling the showy blossoms gardeners have adored for generations. Favorites in our lineup include 'Nuccio's Pearl' with its blush white flowers, 'Rosehill Red' with rich burgundy blooms suited to a woodland garden, and 'Donation', whose soft pink petals surround bright yellow anthers at the center. If you love fragrant camellia blooms in fall and early winter, the camellia sasanqua cultivars 'Cleopatra' and 'Kanjiro' bring soft pink blooms and glossy evergreen foliage that keeps the yard alive through the full bloom season.
Growing Camellias in Your Backyard
The right home for a camellia bush is a spot with partial shade, morning sun, and shelter from the harsh afternoon glare. Acidic soil is where these plants truly thrive, so if your yard has neutral or alkaline soil conditions, work in plenty of compost and pine mulch before planting. Set the root ball slightly high in native soil to keep water moving and root rot at bay, then water deeply once a week during dry stretches. A light feeding of slow-release fertilizer made for acid-loving plants in spring keeps the flower buds developing beautifully. Most camellia species we grow are happy in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9, though a few, like 'Winter's Joy' and 'April Dawn', bring the cold hardiness to shrug off zone 6 winters.
About Singing Tree Gardens Nursery
Rooted on Dow's Prairie near McKinleyville, California, Singing Tree Gardens Nursery has spent decades sharing thoughtfully grown shrubs, trees, and rare specimens with backyard gardeners across the United States. Our team hand-selects each camellia variety for beauty, garden performance, and long-term joy in your landscape. A single specimen plant can anchor a front walk, three flowering shrubs make a graceful foundation planting, and a full row creates a lush privacy hedge for the corner of your southern garden. Reach out with questions and browse our full camellia inventory to find the one that fits your yard best.
FAQs
When is the best time to plant camellias?
The best time to plant a camellia is fall or early spring, when temperatures are mild, and rain helps settle the roots. Fall planting gives the shrub a full season to establish before summer heat arrives.
Is Camellia sinensis the same as garden camellias?
The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, belongs to the same genus as ornamental garden camellias, and its leaves are dried to make green, black, and oolong teas. Its camellia flower is much smaller than the showy types grown for the garden.
Can camellias grow in full sun?
Some can. Camellia sasanqua handles more sun than Camellia japonica, and many cultivars grow well in full sun in cooler coastal regions with consistent watering. In hotter areas, part shade protects the evergreen foliage and keeps blooms from scorching.
How do I get more flower buds on my camellia?
Feed with a slow-release fertilizer made for acid-loving plants in spring, and keep the shrub evenly watered through summer, when next year's flower buds are forming. Well-drained acid soil and a layer of mulch also strengthen winter bloom the following season.
Do camellias work as a hedge or shrub border?
Yes. Their upright growth and dense evergreen structure make camellia shrubs a lovely choice for a privacy hedge, a shrub border, or a formal driveway edge. Spacing plants three to five feet apart lets each shrub fill in while keeping enough airflow.
Which camellias have double flowers?
Several of our favorites, including 'Nuccio's Pearl', 'Sweet Jane', and 'Mrs. Tingley', produce double flowers layered with dozens of petals. These are perfect plants for cutting gardens, container displays, or a graceful small tree effect along a walkway.