In milder regions of the U.S., Camellias have long been admired as the quiet aristocrats of the garden. These graceful, evergreen shrubs boast glossy leaves and luminous blooms that exude elegance. Whether lighting up a shaded courtyard, softening the edge of a patio, or anchoring a woodland border, camellias bring structure and romance to any landscape.
(Above) A mature Pearl Maxwell Camellia is covered in spectacular pink double blooms in mid-winter. This gorgeous evergreen shrub is pulling double duty as a focal point and a screen.
Camellia's beauty runs deeper than their big, beautiful blooms. The dense evergreen foliage offers structure and texture that many flowering shrubs lack. The flowers, often in tones of white, red, and pink, appear when the rest of the garden is either beginning to fade (fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua) or before it wakes up for spring (winter-blooming Camellia japonica). Learn more about the difference between Camellia species.
A note on planting Zones: Camellias are hardy to zone 7, making them perfect for gardens in climates where winter temperatures don't dip below 0°F. Have a colder winter? No worries! Check out this Evergreen Shrub Guide to find the perfect fit for your garden.
The Monrovia Difference
When you spot a camellia in a Monrovia green pot, you’re seeing the result of years of expert care. Each plant has been hand-tended by skilled craftsmen, grown slowly and intentionally to develop a fuller shape, stronger roots, and more flower buds, so it grows faster once planted in your garden.
Every Monrovia plant is nurtured in a custom soil mix enriched with beneficial fungi, designed to support long-term health and resilience. It’s one of the many ways we ensure your camellias continue to thrive beautifully, season after season.
Camellias: A Must-Have for a Balanced Garden Design
A well-designed garden relies on a balance of plants that offer structure, seasonal interest, and an enduring sense of place. Camellias provide all three.
(Above) Pink-A-Boo® Camellia forms an evergreen hedge that blooms with large, fragrant pink flowers in winter.
1. Evergreen backbone
Camellias create a lush, green framework through every season. Their dense, glossy foliage acts as a natural screen, background, or architectural accent, grounding more ephemeral flowers around them.
2. Long bloom season
Depending on the variety, camellias can flower from early fall through late spring, which is when few other shrubs are in bloom. Planting a mix of fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua and later Camellia japonica extends color for months.
3. Style versatility
Their refined form suits a wide range of garden styles, from traditional Southern courtyards to serene, Japanese-inspired retreats and contemporary outdoor rooms.
Monrovia’s trend spotter and Chief Marketing Officer, Katie Tamony, puts it beautifully, “Camellias bring a timeless calm to any space. The plant itself has such a graceful structure as a shrub or small tree. The blooms are really a bonus.”
Design Ideas and Planting Combinations
Camellias are remarkably adaptable. Whether you’re designing a front-yard focal point or layering a woodland edge, there’s a way to let these classic shrubs shine.
Foundation or Hedge Plants
Compact camellias create a refined, evergreen border that looks as beautiful in winter as it does in spring. Camellias can also be used as an espalier to create natural screens or cover unwanted views.
Design tip: Try planting a row of Apple Blossom Camellias along a path or in front of taller evergreens to frame your home’s architecture with soft, natural form.
Pair with:
- Boxwood or boxwood alternatives for evergreen structure
- Pieris for delicate spring bells
- Hellebores for early-winter color beneath the canopy
Pictured here: A Shishi Gashira Camellia espalier forms a gorgeous screen over a concrete wall.
As Focal Points
For pure garden drama, showcase varieties with large, rose-like blooms. These are perfect for near entryways, patios, or a favorite garden bench. Chansonette Camellia or Nuccio’s Gem Camellia make elegant statement plants that draw the eye even in the off-season.
Design tip: Position where morning light catches the flower petals for a soft, luminous effect.
Pair with:
- Azaleas for layered color
- Japanese maples for contrast and seasonal texture
- Ferns for a woodland feel
Pictured here: Yuletide Camellia shines as a focal point in this winter garden.
In Containers
Container-grown camellias bring instant charm to porches, courtyards, and patios. Choose compact forms like Chansonette's Blush Camellia or Yuletide Camellia to brighten shaded entryways. Use large pots with good drainage and rich, acidic soil.
Design tip: Containers allow you flexibility to move them to highlight seasonal color or create a focal point near outdoor seating.
Pair with:
- Heuchera for rich foliage tones
- Carex for softness
- Hellebores for early-winter bloom
Pictured here: Yuletide Camellia is underplanted with Northern Exposure™ Silver Heuchera in modern zinc containers.
In Woodland or Shade Gardens
Camellias are naturals in dappled light. Their glossy leaves catch the rays of sunlight filtering through trees, adding visual depth to woodland spaces. Underplant them with shade-loving companions for year-round texture.
Design tip: Mix camellias with plants that share their love of filtered light. Hydrangeas, azaleas, aralia, heuchera, and ferns are perfect companions for a balanced, naturalistic shade garden that feels lush all year.
Try combining:
Pictured here: Yuletide Camellia thrives under the dappled shade of a tree canopy, alongside Northern Exposure™ Silver Heuchera.
Color and Style Inspiration
Camellias adapt beautifully to different design styles and color palettes. Here’s how to make them shine in three distinct garden styles.
Classic White Garden
A white garden feels as serene as it does elegant. The contrast of deep green foliage and luminous white blooms creates a moonlit effect that feels peaceful and refined. As daylight fades, the white petals glow, transforming the garden into a tranquil evening retreat.
Design Tip: Combine Silver Waves Camellia with the evergreen structure of boxwood and a white hellebore like Ice N' Roses® Bianco Hellebore for a layered, textural display that glows even in low winter light.
Pictured here: Silver Waves Camellia
Romantic Pink Garden
Soft, petal-rich camellias bring romance to shady borders. Their layered petals and graceful form evoke the timeless beauty of classic cottage gardens, yet they feel just as at home in modern landscapes.
Design Tip: Try blending pink Camellias with azaleas, rhododendrons, and early spring bulbs like snowdrops and daffodils. The effect is lush, painterly, and full of gentle charm.
Pictured here: Pearl Maxwell Camellia
Modern Minimalist
For contemporary gardens, camellias offer sculptural form and understated beauty. Use dark mulch, stone, or containers to highlight the shine of the foliage, and prune lightly to maintain clean lines.
Design Tip: Plant in geometric groupings for a refined, architectural look. Underplanting with dark-foliage plants, like the Northern Exposure™ Silver Heuchera here, adds even more modern drama.
Pictured here: Yuletide Camellia and Northern Exposure™ Silver Heuchera
Practical Design Tips: Placing Camellias in the Garden
Designing with camellias is as much about placement and care as it is about aesthetics. Keep these quick expert tips in mind:
- USDA Zone: Camellias are typically hardy down to USDA Zone 7, which means they thrive where winter temperatures don't dip below 0°F.
- Light: Camellias thrive in filtered light. Ideally, Camellias need morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much direct sunlight can scorch leaves, so choose a location where your plant is protected from harsh afternoon sun.
- Soil: Camellias prefer acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Mulch with pine needles or shredded bark to retain moisture and maintain acidity.
- Spacing: Allow for good air circulation between plants to prevent fungal leaf spot.
- Maintenance: Prune lightly after bloom to shape and encourage new growth. Remove spent flowers to keep the plant tidy.
For in-depth growing advice, check out How to Grow Camellias.
Favorite Camellia Varieties
Peek-A-Boo™
Camellia
Compact and colorful, this variety is perfect for small gardens or containers. Its vivid pink-red flowers pop against dark green foliage from late fall through winter. Full shade to part sun. Up to 10' tall and wide. Zones 7-10.
Nuccio’s Bella
Rossa Camellia
Elegant, deep red blooms with an exceptionally long flowering season. Ideal for containers or as a bold accent shrub in shaded borders. Full shade to part sun. Up to 8' tall, Zones 8-10.
Apple Blossom
Camellia
A delicate beauty with soft pink, apple-blossom-like flowers. Its compact habit makes it an excellent hedge or foundation plant. Full shade to part sun. Up to 10' tall and wide. Zones 7-10.
Chansonette
Camellia
A graceful, arching form and long bloom period make this a designer favorite. Perfect for cascading over walls or softening hardscapes. Full shade to part sun. Up to 3' tall, 8' wide. Zones 7-10.
White Doves
Camellia
Sparkling white, semi-double blooms cover glossy dark green foliage during the cool season. Forms a rounded shrub with age. Full shade to part sun. Up to 9' tall and wide. Zones 7-10.
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