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common camellia

The common camellia is an iconic evergreen shrub prized in New Zealand gardens for its lush, glossy foliage and spectacular blooms that brighten up even the dullest winter days. Known botanically as Camellia japonica, the common camellia offers a striking display of flowers in shades of white, pink, and red from late winter through early spring. These hardy shrubs are celebrated for their easy-care nature, resilience to pruning, and versatility, finding a home in both traditional and modern landscaping schemes. Whether you’re searching for a showy flowering specimen, a formal hedge, or reliable evergreen structure, the common camellia is a standout choice for gardeners at any skill level.

Camellia Early Pearly white flower with a pink blush.

Camellia 'Early Pearly'

5 from 5 customers

Camellia Early Pearly is a very popular, evergreen shrub that flowers from late autumn through winter. It produces showy, mildly fragrant, semi-double, pure white blooms, contrasting nicely with the glossy, dark green foliage as it grows to about 2 m tall and 1.5 m wide. Camellia Early Pearly is commonly grown as a specimen, clipped into a hedge, added to a mixed planting, used in cottage or 'white' gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, or used as a backdrop for smaller plants.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Autumn, Winter
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
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Camellia Roma Red

5 from 1 customers

Camellia Roma Red features double, red flowers through winter and spring. The showy blooms are complemented beautifully with glossy, dark green foliage as it grows to 2 m tall and the same wide. Camellia Roma Red is commonly grown as specimen, clipped into a hedge, included in cottage gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, added to a mixed planting, or used as a backdrop for smaller plants.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Modern
camellia-tsaii-

Camellia tsaii

Camellia Tsaii is an evergreen shrub that produces masses of single, white, fragrant flowers. These contrast well with the glossy, green foliage as...

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camellia-sasanqua-sparkling-burgundy-5

Camellia sasanqua Sparkling Burgundy

Camellia sasanqua Sparkling Burgundy is a popular evergreen shrub that produces showy, double, hot pink flowers. These appear from winter through...

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Camellia Yuletide

Camellia Yuletide produces showy, single, bright red flowers from winter through spring. The flowers have a centre of prominent, golden stamens. The...

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Camellia With Love

Camellia With Love produces showy, double, bright pink flowers with a light fragrance from winter through spring. The foliage is glossy, dark green...

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Camellia Paradise Helen

Camellia Paradise Helen produces masses of showy, double, white blooms which are mildly fragrant, and contrast nicely with the glossy, dark green...

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Camellia Setsugekka hedge in full flower.

Camellia Setsugekka

Camellia 'Setsugekka' is a sasanqua variety with large, semi-double, white flowers with wavy, fluted petals and a yellow centre. These contrast...

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camellia-sasanqua-paradise-belinda-4

Camellia Paradise Belinda

Camellia Paradise Belinda is a lovely, evergreen shrub that produces pretty, single, dark pink flowers. The glossy, dark green foliage provides a...

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camellia-sasanqua-paradise-vanessa-1

Camellia Paradise Vanessa

Camellia Paradise Vanessa produces large and showy, white flowers which are flushed with pink. The flowers are borne through autumn and winter and...

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camellia-japonica-takanini-1

Camellia Takanini

Camellia Takanini produces magnificent, double, rich red flowers from winter through spring with a tight, frilly centre. The glossy, dark green...

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Camellia Kramers Beauty

Camellia Kramers Beauty produces double, bright red flowers through winter and spring. The showy blooms are complemented beautifully with glossy...

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Camellia Paradise Pearl

Camellia Paradise Pearl is renowned for its large and showy, double flowers. The mildly fragrant, white flowers tinged with purple are borne from...

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Camellia transnokoensis white flowers with a pink blush amidst dark green foliage.

Camellia transnokoensis

Camellia transnokoensis is an evergreen shrub that produces masses of single, white flowers. These appear through winter and spring and contrast...

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camellia-sasanqua-pure-silk-2

Camellia Pure Silk

Camellia Pure Silk produces fragrant and showy, white blooms that are edged with soft pink. These spectacular flowers are borne through autumn and...

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Camellia 'Apple Blossom'

Camellia 'Apple Blossom' is a charming evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink edged white blooms that resemble delicate apple flowers. Flowering...

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Camellia 'Sugar and Spice' pink flower.

Camellia Sugar and Spice

Camellia Sugar and Spice features fragrant, semi-double, clear pink flowers through winter and spring. It bears glossy, green leaves as it grows to 2...

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camellia-williamsii-water-lily-1

Camellia Water Lily

Camellia Water Lily produces masses of double, bright pink flowers. These appear from winter through spring and blend nicely with the glossy, dark...

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Camellia 'Fairy Blush' stunning pink flower against dark green foliage.

Camellia 'Fairy Blush'

Camellia 'Fairy Blush' produces bright pink buds that open into showy, single, lightly fragrant pink flowers. These spectacular blooms contrast well...

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Camellia 'Black Magic' red flower.

Camellia Black Magic

Camellia Black Magic produces dark, velvet red, semi-double flowers from spring through early summer. This evergreen produces semi-glossy, green...

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Camellia Coronation

Camellia Coronation produces masses of fragrant, semi-double, pure white flowers. These are produced from spring through early summer and are...

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Camellia Cinnamon Cindy beautiful white-pink flowers adorned with glossy green foliage.

Camellia 'Cinnamon Cindy'

Camellia Cinnamon Cindy is a hybrid variety that features semi-double flowers, which are white with pink tinges. The flowers are produced...

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Camellia japonica 'Jurys' Yellow' flowers with dark green foliage.

Camellia japonica 'Jurys Yellow'

Camellia japonica Jury's Yellow is an evergreen shrub that features showy, double, cream-coloured flowers through winter and spring. These...

From$343.89
camellia-japonica-curly-lady-

Camellia 'Curly Lady'

Camellia 'Curly Lady' is a unique evergreen shrub admired for its beautifully shaped pink blooms with distinctive twisted petals. Flowering from late...

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Camellia Spring Festival

Camellia Spring Festival produces showy, semi-double, shell pink flowers. These appear from winter through spring and are complemented with glossy...

From$37.73
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Camellia Red Red Rose

Camellia Red Red Rose produces beautiful, double, bright red flowers. These spectacular blooms appear from winter through spring and blend nicely...

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Camellia 'Black Tie'

Camellia 'Black Tie' is a sophisticated evergreen shrub admired for its large formal deep red blooms and glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...

From$33.68
camellia-ariel-song-

Camellia 'Ariel Song'

Camellia 'Ariel Song' is a graceful evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink semi double blooms and glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from late...

From$343.89
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Camellia Les Jury

Camellia 'Les Jury' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its large deep pink to red blooms and glossy dark green foliage. This outstanding...

From$343.89
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Camellia 'Black Lace'

Camellia 'Black Lace' is a dramatic evergreen shrub admired for its deep velvety red blooms set against glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...

From$37.73
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Camellia Roger Hall

Camellia Roger Hall produces impressive, double, red flowers through winter and spring. The blooms blend perfectly with the glossy, dark green...

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Camellia Silver Dollar, elegant, double, white flower.

Camellia Silver Dollar

Camellia Silver Dollar is renowned for its beautiful, ruffled, double, pure white flowers. These are produced in autumn and early winter and contrast...

From$37.73
Camellia 'Early Pearly'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Camellia, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs.

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Why Grow the Common Camellia?

The common camellia is cherished for its adaptability and long flowering season. It thrives in partially shaded areas but will tolerate full sun in cooler parts of New Zealand. Its dense foliage makes it a prime candidate for hedging, screening, or as a standalone feature in mixed borders. Thanks to their shallow root system, camellias are also popular for container gardening, perfect for patios and entranceways.

A mature common camellia can reach up to 2-4 metres, providing both structure and interest throughout the year. Their exquisite flowers are not only admired in the garden but can be cut for indoor arrangements, adding elegance to any room. The common camellia is well-suited to acid soils and benefits from a mulch of pine bark or leaf mould to retain moisture and maintain soil health.

Popular Camellia Varieties

If you admire the classic beauty of the common camellia, you’ll love exploring its close relatives and cultivars found in New Zealand. Some popular varieties include:

Caring for Your Common Camellia

Caring for your common camellia is effortless with just a few key principles. Plant your camellia in well-drained, acidic soil and keep the roots cool with organic mulch. Water well throughout dry periods, especially while young or newly planted. Annual fertilising with a product suitable for acid-loving plants ensures robust growth and prolific flowering. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove any dead or crowded wood.

Camellias are generally disease-resistant, but good air movement around the plant will help prevent fungal issues, especially in humid conditions. With a little care, your common camellia will reward you year after year with a showstopping floral display.

For gardeners looking to add colour, elegance, and year-round structure, the common camellia remains a beloved favourite. Explore the broad range of camellias available and discover the perfect variety for your landscape.


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