In Australia, the term 'hardy' refers to a plant's hardiness to withstand summer heat or full sun.

In other countries this usually means cold hardiness, and thus many publications that come to Australia printed in the USA or England can be very misleading to the Australian gardener.

Many camellias that do well in the UK and Japan are hard to grow in Australia. Still, there are a handful of tried and true varieties if you are considering growing camellias for the first time.

Some areas prefer different species of camellias. The best thing to do, is to check out what your neighbours are growing when it is camellia season time. Sasanquas (which flower in Autumn) do well just about anywhere, but like all camellias, they don't like to dry out or be in a wet spot.

Unfortunately, often the best garden/hardy camellias have very few flowers at the plant nursery in their pot and often are overlooked. Feeding hardy varieties often promotes growth rather than flowers, and most of these varieties are 'all leaves' rather than 'all flowers' at the plant nursery. Don't be fooled - once they're in the ground and their needs are met, they are very floriferous and happy plants..

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Recommended as Good Beginner Camellias

C.japonica Helenor or C.japonica Roma Risorta
(striped)

C.japonica Great Eastern
(red)

C.williamsii hybrid Debbie*
(hot pink)

C.japonica Debutante
(light pink)

C.reticulata Dr Clifford Parks (red, big flower)

C.japonica The Czar
(pink)

C.japonica Bokuhan#
(red and white, miniature)

C.japonica Alba Plena
(white)*

* Debbie - in warmer coastal areas, Debbie may not do as well as further south or inland.

* Alba Plena may not open as readily if in very cold zones, ie chance of snow more than once a year

# Bokuhan (sometimes known as Tinsie) can vary in colour; sometimes the red is scarlet, in other areas it is black red.

We hope, if you are ever in our hemisphere, you will visit Australia and one of our camellia growing regions between May and September. In the meantime, have a look at these pages to learn more about camellias in Australia.