Camellia

flowering plant · Asia · ornamental · tea

Stunning blooms. Camellias produce beautiful flowers in shades of white, pink, red, and sometimes even striped patterns. People all over the world grow them in gardens because their flowers are so pretty and elegant.

Tea connection. One species of camellia, called Camellia sinensis, is the plant that gives us tea. When we drink green tea or black tea, we're actually drinking brewed leaves from this special camellia plant.

Asian origins. Camellias come from tropical and subtropical areas in eastern and southern Asia, stretching from the Himalayas all the way to Japan and Indonesia. More than 220 different species exist, with most of them found in southern China and Indochina.

Oil and uses. Some camellias produce seeds that contain precious oil used for cooking and skincare. This camellia oil has been valued in Asia for centuries and is still popular today.

Endless varieties. Humans have created over 26,000 different camellia cultivars through careful breeding and selection over the centuries. That means there are thousands of unique types to choose from if you want to plant one.