The camellia heyday can be seen blooming almost all yr — even during the insensate months .

If it seems like thecamellia flowerblooms almost all class , that ’s because they do . Sometimes called the blush wine of wintertime or the queen of winter flowers , camelia varieties usuallybloom during the insensate months . What does a camellia look like ? In improver to resemblingroses , camelia bloom can be work likeanemonesorpeonies . The salad days can be single , threefold , and semi - double , and amount in red , pink , bloodless , or a commixture of these colors . There ’s more to camellias than just their beautiful blooms — here are some fascinating fact to make you have it away them even more .

1. There are thousands of varieties of camellias.

Native to Asia , there are more than 200 mintage of camellias and 1000 of varieties . The most pop types of camellias in America are japonica , sasanquas , and reticulatas , says William Khoury , overseer of garden for the American Camellia Society and Massee Lane Gardens in Georgia . Some the great unwashed make expectant collections of different type of camellias , favoring the self-aggrandising efflorescence to exhibit at flower shows .

2. They bloom in three seasons.

By choosing diverseness with staggered bloom times , your camellia flower showing can last for month between fall and spring . Forfall people of colour , Khoury recommends growing sasanquas , which he describes as " sunshine - loving flora with small leaf and blooms . " Some japonica cultivars will flower from fall into spring , too . Khoury notes that reticulatas " have the declamatory blooming , tend to blossom in late wintertime and spring , and can be more sensitive to cold . "

3. A summer-blooming camellia exists.

Khoury says breeders are working on new camelia loanblend that will bloom in the summer . Only one , ' Wendzalea ' is presently available in the United States . Its ruby - red , semi - treble blooms heart-to-heart from July to November , and again from February through March . camelia must be breed with a godforsaken species from China , C. azalea(which is not a true azalea , Khoury points out ) so as to blossom in summer or re - bloom . raw cultivars also are being developed intrendy colors , he says , like sensationalistic and purple .

4. Some varieties can grow in colder regions.

These evergreen shrubs and small tree are n’t especially cold - sturdy , so camelia have been limited mostly toUSDA Zones 7 - 10 . stock breeder have created stalwart sort , though , and now there are several that can uprise in Zone 6 . One of the hardiest , Camellia japonica’Korean Fire ' may evensurvive with winter protectionin Zone 5 .

And ifyour climateis too cold for camelia , " toilet are an choice , " say Jenny Rydebrink , founder and chief executive officer of Gardenize , a nomadic app for gardeners . Grow your camelia inlarge containers you may bring indoors . Keep them in cool but not freeze out temperatures , give themas much light as potential , andwater them enoughso the roots do n’t completely dry out out . Move the pots back out of doors in spring when temperature stay above freeze .

Avoid moving the pots too often , as this can induce flowers and buds to fall off , says Rydebrink .

Closeup of pastel pink Camellia Japonica flowers blooming bush in the park or garden.

Credit: penkanya/Getty Images

5. Camellias are part of American history.

The most popular camellia is n’t commonly grown in home garden . It’sCamellia sinensis ; the species used to make tea . This commodity , you may remember , bechance to be what got hold overboard during the Boston Tea Party in protest of taxation without internal representation . This event was the first to rally colonists together to fight for independency from Great Britain , so you could say that camelia play an authoritative role in starting the American Revolution .

6. Coco Chanel loved the flowers.

It ’s said that the camellia prime was a favorite of famed style designer Coco Chanel . Images of the elegant blooms show up in her jewelry , handbags , clothes , and other products . She ’s also reported to have care them because they were n’t fragrant , so they did n’t contend with her signature scent , Chanel No . 5 .

Best Camellias to Grow

If you ’d like to prove growing the camellia bloom in your garden , Khoury recommends research these New and famed variety .

More Plants That Grow in the Cold Months

contrive your twelvemonth - round garden and incorporate stale - loving shrubs and flowers into your landscape gardening . Here are some estimate to get you started .

17 Colorful bush to Brighten Up Your Winter Landscapeshowcases shrubs that proffer Berry , efflorescence , and foliation even in the cold months . For twelvemonth - round of golf greenery,21 Best Types of Evergreen Shrubs to mature for Year - Round Colorhighlights hardy and reliable evergreens that keep your landscape lively through each season . And if you ’re looking for blooms,15 Stunning Winter - Flowering flora to clear Up the Colder Monthsfeatures a colored palette such as scandalmongering Witch Hazel and imperial Winter Heath .

” chronicle of Camellias . ”American Camellia Society .

Camellia japonica ‘Alexander Hunter’ with red blooms

Credit: Rob Cardillo

Malach , Hannah . “How Celebrities Wore Chanel ’s Signature Camellia Flower at Met Gala 2023.”WWD . 2023 .