If you’re searching for the best camellia varieties to elevate your garden, you’re in for a treat. Camellias are beloved for their glossy evergreen foliage, long flowering season, and exquisite blooms that brighten even the dreariest winter days in New Zealand. From traditional favourites to striking modern selections, camellias offer endless possibilities for hedges, screens, feature shrubs, or specimen plants. Choosing the right camellia variety can enhance your garden’s beauty, attract pollinators, and provide year-round interest.
Camellia 'Black Lace' is a dramatic evergreen shrub admired for its deep velvety red blooms set against glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...
Camellia 'Black Tie' is a sophisticated evergreen shrub admired for its large formal deep red blooms and glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...
Camellia 'Brushfields Yellow' is a highly sought after evergreen shrub admired for its creamy white outer petals surrounding a soft yellow petaloid...
Camellia Cinnamon Cindy is a hybrid variety that features semi-double flowers, which are white with pink tinges. The flowers are produced...
Camellia Coronation produces masses of fragrant, semi-double, pure white flowers. These are produced from spring through early summer and are...
Camellia 'Desire' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink blooms delicately edged with deeper rose tones. Flowering from late winter...
Camellia Early Pearly is a very popular, evergreen shrub that flowers from late autumn through winter. It produces showy, mildly fragrant...
Camellia 'Fairy Blush' produces bright pink buds that open into showy, single, lightly fragrant pink flowers. These spectacular blooms contrast well...
Camellia japonica Jury's Yellow is an evergreen shrub that features showy, double, cream-coloured flowers through winter and spring. These...
Camellia 'Kramers Supreme' is a spectacular evergreen shrub admired for its large deep red blooms and glossy dark green foliage. This outstanding...
Camellia 'Midnight' is a dramatic evergreen shrub admired for its rich deep red blooms and glossy dark green foliage. This striking camellia flowers...
Camellia 'Mine No Yuki' is a beautiful evergreen shrub valued for its masses of pure white flowers and glossy dark green foliage. This elegant...
Camellia 'Night Rider' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its very dark red almost black blooms and glossy dark green foliage. This dramatic...
Camellia Paradise Blush produces showy, white blooms that are blushed with pink. These spectacular, semi-double flowers are borne in autumn and...
Camellia Pure Silk produces fragrant and showy, white blooms that are edged with soft pink. These spectacular flowers are borne through autumn and...
Camellia Roma Red features double, red flowers through winter and spring. The showy blooms are complemented beautifully with glossy, dark green...
Camellia 'Setsugekka' is a sasanqua variety with large, semi-double, white flowers with wavy, fluted petals and a yellow centre. These contrast...
Camellia Silver Dollar is renowned for its beautiful, ruffled, double, pure white flowers. These are produced in autumn and early winter and contrast...
Camellia Takanini produces magnificent, double, rich red flowers from winter through spring with a tight, frilly centre. The glossy, dark green...
Camellia Yuletide produces showy, single, bright red flowers from winter through spring. The flowers have a centre of prominent, golden stamens. The...
Camellia transnokoensis is an evergreen shrub that produces masses of single, white flowers. These appear through winter and spring and contrast...
Camellia 'Apple Blossom' is a charming evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink edged white blooms that resemble delicate apple flowers. Flowering...
Camellia 'Ariel Song' is a graceful evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink semi double blooms and glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from late...
Camellia 'Ballet Dancer' is a refined evergreen shrub admired for its elegant soft pink blooms and glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from late...
Camellia Black Magic produces dark, velvet red, semi-double flowers from spring through early summer. This evergreen produces semi-glossy, green...
Camellia 'Buttons and Bows' is a charming evergreen shrub admired for its formal double white blooms delicately edged in soft pink. Flowering from...
Camellia 'Crimson King' is a striking evergreen shrub renowned for its rich crimson red blooms that create a bold statement from late winter into...
Camellia 'Curly Lady' is a unique evergreen shrub admired for its beautifully shaped pink blooms with distinctive twisted petals. Flowering from late...
Camellia 'Debbie' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its large, peony style blooms in rich rose pink tones. Flowering from late winter into...
Camellia 'High Fragrance' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its elegant pale pink blooms and delightful fragrance. This refined camellia...
You might be interested in exploring our full range of Camellia or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs.
Search best camelliaCamellias are one of the most versatile ornamental shrubs you can grow in New Zealand. They thrive in part shade, tolerate light frosts, and with a little care, reward gardeners with vibrant displays from autumn through to spring. Their elegant form makes them ideal for hedging, woodland gardens, or as statement plants in containers. Plus, camellias require minimal pruning, making them a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.
With hundreds of camellia varieties available, it’s helpful to focus on cultivars that perform exceptionally well in our climate. Here are some of the best camellia varieties to consider for your landscape:
Renowned for its dainty, semi-double, pale pink blooms, Camellia 'Ballet Dancer' brings a soft elegance to any garden. Flowering prolifically from late winter into spring, this variety is a favourite for mixed shrub borders and sheltered courtyard planting.
For those who love dramatic contrasts, Camellia 'Black Lace' is a standout. Its deep red, almost black, formal double blooms pair beautifully with subtle foliage and lighter-coloured camellias in the garden or a formal planting scheme.
If a neat, upright shrub with sophisticated double red blooms fits your style, Camellia 'Black Tie' is a must-have. It’s a popular choice for hedging or as a feature shrub due to its reliable flowering and tidy growth.
Camellia 'Brushfields Yellow' is beloved for its soft creamy-white petals surrounding a delicate lemon centre. This variety brightens shaded spots and is prized for its unique colour combination—a rare find among camellias.
With charming, perfectly formed rosy-pink ruffled blooms, Camellia 'Buttons and Bows' brings whimsical interest to garden beds or patio containers. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for small gardens or as a specimen in a decorative urn.
To get the most from the best camellia varieties, plant them in well-drained, acidic soil with good organic matter. Mulch well to retain moisture and suppress weeds, especially during hot, dry spells. Avoid root disturbance, and water deeply in the first year after planting. Protect young plants from harsh afternoon sun and strong winds, and you’ll enjoy healthy, enduring camellias for years to come.
Ready to transform your garden with camellias? Explore our range and discover the perfect variety to suit your style and space.
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

