Camellias

Camellias have been a part of the southern landscape for almost 200 years. They are native to the Orient and were introduced into the U.S. near Charleston, South Carolina in 1786. The common name camellia refers to varieties and hybrids of Camellia japonica and to the less known varieties of C. sasanqua and C. reticulate.

Camellias can serve several functions in the landscape including foundation plantings, screens, accent plants, background groupings and hedges. Maximum benefit can be achieved by mass plantings or groupings.

Camellias flower in the fall and winter when their display of colorful blooms is most appreciated. During the remainder of the year their evergreen foliage, interesting shapes and textures, and relatively slow growth make camellias excellent landscape plants.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Camellias
• Florida Plant ID: Camellia

UF/IFAS Publications

• Air-Layering Camellias (PDF)
• Camellia Pests and Diseases (PDF)
• Camellia oleifera: Tea-Oil Camellia
• Camellias at a Glance
• Check Your Camellias for Tea Scale (PDF)
• Disease-free Camellia Blooms Start by Picking Up Flowers (PDF)
• Horticulture News: Camellias (PDF)

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Camellias All Winter
• Preserving Camellia Flowers with Wax
• Sasanqua Camellias
• Selecting a Camellia

Other Sites

• American Camellia Society
• Camellias--Clemson (SC) Cooperative Extension
• Camellias--University of California Cooperative Extension (PDF)
• Camellias: Southern Charm with a History--Texas AgriLife Extension Service
• The Culture of Camellias: The State Flower of Alabama--Auburn University
• Gainesville Camellia Society
• International Camellia Society

 

• The camellia was featured as a "Plant of the Month." See the other featured plants.