Tips for those who want spring color before spring weather

In Virginia, early ephemerals and classic spring bulbs such as crocus can make an appearance as early as February. For gardeners who just can’t wait that long to see blooms, there is another option: shrubs that offer winter interest like blooms or berries during the winter months.

For Virginians east of Richmond, the evergreen camellia species are a great way to add winter blooms to your home landscape. 

Camellias are a mid-size shrub, growing up to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide. They have glossy, dark green leaves which do not turn brown in winter and showy flowers that bloom in the dark winter months, making them a valuable garden addition. They are a relatively slow growing species so if you’re not one for doing regular pruning, these might be a tree for you.

“Camelias do not have major disease problems in Virginia, and if you’re in a warmer area, they are relatively easy to grow,” said Alex Niemiera, Virginia Cooperative Extension Woody Plants Specialist and Professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. “The biggest threat to them in Virginia is the cold.” 

Camelias are hardy in zones 7 and warmer, which includes most parts of Virginia east of Richmond.

“If you’re in a colder locale than zone 7 and want a camellia, you could try an Ackerman hybrid camellia – hardy to zones 6A and B,” said Michael Andruczyk, Senior Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent at Virginia Cooperative Extension. “Ackerman hybrids are created by crossing a Camellia oleifera, that has cinnamon colored bark and white flowers, and either Camellia sasanqua or Camellia japonica to increase cold tolerance and different flower colors and forms."

There are two main species of camellia used as garden plants popular in southeast Virginia: Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua. Both being members of the tea family, the leaves of their cousins — Camellia sinensis and Camellia assamica — are used in white, green, yellow, pu’er, oolong, and black teas.

Camellia japonica cultivars typically bloom mid-winter to early spring and have flower sizes ranging from miniature (up to 2.75” diameter) to very large (over 5" in diameter) and grow to a max height of about 30 feet. 

Camellia sasanqua cultivars typically bloom late fall to early winter with flower sizes ranging from miniature (up to 2.75” diameter) to large (4" in diameter) and can reach a max height of 16 feet.

Planting tips

Select a spot in your yard where the camellia tree will get dappled light but not full sun. “Do not plant your camellia tree close to a water source like a gutter or HVAC drip pipe," said Andruczyk. "They have shallow roots, so be sure to plant them high, as they will settle once planted and can develop root rot if planted too low." New trees should be watered with some regularity if there has not been regular rainfall their first year. If leaves begin to turn yellow, your camellia could be suffering from root rot.

Pruning tips

Be sure you’re working with clean tools. Try to prune after the chance of hard frost has passed, and fertilize after pruning. Don’t prune more than 1/3 of the plant at any one time. “You do want light to be able to pass through the branches," said Andruczyk. "If you can read a newspaper through the leaves, that is a good indicator that you’ve pruned or thinned the branches enough.” This will also reduce your risk of leaf spot from moisture.

Other suggestions for winter interest in your yard

In addition to the camellia species, Japanese apricot (Prunus mume), Japanese allspice or sweet box (sarcococca) are good winter-blooming options.  
 
Evergreen shrubs native to Virginia that offer a berry interest in winter: 
Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra), native to VA, but not Northern VA 

Southern Bayberry (Myrica (Morella) cerifera) (blooms late February to April)

For those passionate about camellias, not only can you visit one of the largest camellia collections in the southeast at the Norfolk Botanical Garden in Norfolk, Virginia but the Virginia Camellia Society offers additional resources and seasonal sales. Many of the camellias for sale have been hybridized and propagated from members’ own collections. 
 

To read more about Camellia japonica, visit Virginia Cooperative Extension’s publication or Clemson University’s factsheet about Cameillia japonica and Cameillia sasanqua.

About Andruczyk

Michael Andruczyk, is a Senior Extension Agent in Agriculture and natural resources as well as horticulture. He has been with Virgina Cooperative Extension for 20 years. He is also the current president (2025) of the Virginia Cameillia Society.  
 
For additional gardening questions, contact your local Extension Master Gardeners. Extension Master Gardeners are trained volunteer educators who bring the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities to the people of the commonwealth. Visit the Extension Master Gardener Program website for more information or to become an Extension Master Gardener.