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Camellia Wikimedia Commons
Theaceae

Camellia

Camellia

Love, affection, admiration, longevity.

Family
Theaceae
Genus
Camellia
Native to
East and South Asia
Bloom season
Winter, Spring
Type
evergreen shrub or small tree
Height
1.8–6 m
Sunlight
Partial shade
Soil
Acidic, well-drained, rich
Water
Regular
Hardiness
7–9
Lifespan
100+ years

Did you know

  • Tea — black, green, white, and oolong — all come from Camellia sinensis, a single species.
  • Camellia japonica, the ornamental species, was prized in Japan from the 7th century and in China for even longer.
  • Coco Chanel chose the white camellia as her signature flower because it has no scent to clash with her perfumes.
  • Camellias can live for over 400 years; the oldest cultivated plant in the West, at Pillnitz Castle in Germany, was planted in 1801.
  • Camellia oil, pressed from seeds, is a traditional Japanese hair treatment.

Uses

  • Ornamental
  • Tea (C. sinensis)
  • Oil
  • Cut flowers