This evergreen features show-stopping flowers in shades from white to bright red, blooming from fall to winter
- Named by Linnaeus after the Jesuit botanist Georg Joseph Kamel, who worked in the Philippines and described a species of camellia.
- Magnolia Plantation & Gardens in Charleston held the most extensive planting in our country before the Civil War; today, 20,000 camellias are on display there throughout the winter and spring.
- Two of the most common species in our area are sasanqua and japonica.
- Represents adoration, devotion and loveliness.
- The “yuletide” cultivar of sasanqua has bright red blooms.
- Augusta National’s 10th hole is named “Camellia.”
- Originated in eastern and southern Asia. The oldest living camellia was planted in 1347 and can be found in China’s Panlong Monastery.
- Camellia sinensis (or tea plant) is used to make most traditional caffeinated teas, including black, white, oolong and green tea.
