The International Camellia Society

"The Empress of Winter"

The genus Camellia comprises more than 250 species.
Economically, the genus is important because of

Camellia sinensis
(Black and green tea)

Horticulturally, the genus is important because of

Camellia japonica
Camellia reticulata
Camellia sasanqua
and an increasing number of interspecies hybrids.
 

Camellias are evergreen and long-lived, brightening gardens with their blooms from autumn to late spring.  Easily cultivated in open ground or in pots, in form they can range from sizeable trees, to dense spreading shrubs suited for hedges, to dwarf plants suitable for containers and hanging baskets.

They originate from subtropical regions in China, Japan and neighbouring countries. They love warm wet summers and moderately cold dry winters, but can prosper surprisingly well in a range of adverse climatic conditions, tolerating dry summers and wet winters. Frost hardiness is -5°C (25°F) in pots and about -15 to -20°C ( 0 to 5°F) in open ground. Research is presently done on hybrids with improved cold-hardiness.

Icon: Chinese character for Tea.