Classic camellias are one of the most essential shrubs in the garden. Abundant flowering, decorative evergreen foliage, ease of cultivation: so many advantages offered by this heather earth plant.
Of the many varieties, shapes and colors of flowers, classic white camellias are certainly the easiest to pair with the garden. Bringing light and airiness, they can go well with other colors or create very refined monochrome scenes.
Here is our selection of our favorite white camellias, to be grown both in the ground and in pots.
In addition, we invite you to read our article on planting, pruning and maintaining camellias.
THE ‘BOTANYUKI’ CAMELLIA: A LITTLE GRACIOUS FLOWERING BUSH
We like the classic ‘Botanyuki’ camellia for its small, compact size of an adorable bush that is 1 meter thick in all directions. It therefore fits perfectly in small spaces, in urban gardens or in pots.
It blooms straddles between late winter and early spring, from February to April. It is then adorned with delicate small double flowers of 8 cm, in the shape of peonies. They are creamy white enhanced by salmon undertones, which the glossy dark green foliage sets off well.
‘Botanyuki’ can be used isolated, to brighten up a lawn. In a large container, it can be grown with winter heather to accompany its flowering (Erica x darleyensis ‘Kramer’s Rote’, ‘Eva Gold’ or ‘Spring Surprise’) or summer heather to take over from the beautiful season.
THE ‘CINNAMON CINDY’ CAMELLIA: A SPICY FRAGRANCE
Like all country camellias, ‘Cinnamon Cindy’ offers a looser, but slender silhouette, ideal for creating beautiful flowering hedges.
From January to April, it produces a myriad of small pink sugar-coated buds. These then open to reveal double white flowers with pink undertones, resembling graceful little peonies. Its name refers to the scent of its flowers, which give off a sweet, sweet and spicy fragrance with hints of cinnamon.
The foliage is coppery at first at bud break, before taking on olive green undertones.
This fast-growing shrub reaches 1.5 meters in height and 80 cm in wingspan.
It tolerates non-scorching sunny exposures and offers a less sophisticated and more natural atmosphere than the camellias of Japan.
Pair ‘Cinnamon Cindy’ with a chionanthus or snow tree to take over from flowering and create a beautiful romantic scene. Also consider a pink deutzia for a touch of color.
THE CAMELLIA JAPONICA ‘MARGARET DAVIS’: AN ORIGINAL FLOWERING
The Japanese camellia ‘Margaret Davis‘ charms us with its flowering: it is adorned with large, large, rounded double flowers resembling peonies. The iridescent milky white petals are irregularly edged in bright pink. A real spectacle from February to April!
Its erect silhouette, with a columnar port, reaches 1.50 meters in height and 1 meter in wingspan.
Grow ‘Margaret Davis’ near traffic areas, on the patio or balcony, which it will illuminate for several weeks. You can also combine it with perennials or shrubs in the same color tones, to create a magnificent shades of roses. Look to fuchsias, perennial geraniums, hybrid lilies or hearts of Mary.
THE CAMELLIA ‘JURYS YELLOW’: REAL LITTLE WHITE POMPOMS
The classic camellia ‘Jurys Yellow’ offers original semi-double flowers 6 to 7 cm in diameter. They feature a first row of petals, which then reveal a tight core made up of frizzy, crumpled petals. Real little pompoms! In terms of colors, our camellia offers a creamy white accented with pale yellow in the center. Flowering occurs between February and April.
This bush reaches 1.30 m in height at maturity and 70 cm in wingspan.
“Jurys Yellow” will illuminate the semi-shaded areas of the garden. Pair it with other heather shrubs, such as rhododendrons and azaleas, skimmias, and Japanese Andromeda. Hydrangeas can complete this picture, blooming in shades of blue or mauve in acid earth.
THE ‘DAHLONEGA’ CAMELLIA: SMALL SIZE BUT BIG REFINEMENT
The classic Camellia ‘Dahlonega’ is a white variety that blooms in spring, between February and April. It offers magnificent double flowers of 7 cm. Their color is white reflected in ivory and revealing a pale yellow heart. A real touch of sweetness after winter!
Its small format, 1 meter high and 80 cm wide, can be used anywhere in the garden: in pots, in small spaces, in flower beds or in the foreground of a shrub hedge. It will also do wonders with small spring bulbous plants at its feet, such as mini-daffodils, crocuses, tulips, cyclamen or grape hyacinths, the colors of which will be highlighted by our camellia.
CAMELLIA JAPONICA ‘NOBILISSIMA’: AN EARLY VARIETY WITH VERY LONG FLOWERING
The Japanese camellia ‘Nobilissima’ surprises with the length of its flowering period. Early on, this variety begins to show us the spectacle of its flowers from November until March.
It reveals 8 cm double flowers in the shape of peonies, offering an immaculate white simply enhanced by a small yellow heart. The glossy dark green foliage serves as a backdrop for this gentle bloom.
Unlike other varieties, this vigorous camellia offers rapid growth. Its shape in a ball reaches about 1.5 meters in all directions.
Thanks to its early flowering, it creates long flowering beds. Pair ‘Nobilissima’ with autumn sasanqua camellias, either in monochrome scenes or in harmonious pink and white shades.
THE CAMELLIA JAPONICA ‘CINNAMON SCENTSATION’: A LATER, PERFUMED FLOWERING
Country Camellia ‘Cinnamon Scentsation’ is a variety with a very natural style. Its single flowers are delicately shaded with pink, creamy white, enhanced by a nest of golden stamens. The foliage is a fairly light green.
Just like ‘Cinnamon Cindy, of which it would be a spontaneous mutation, its flowering exudes a spicy scent of cinnamon, sweet and greedy.
It blooms later than the previously listed camellias, since it occurs in March-April and continues until May.
This bush, 1.50 meters high and 1 meter wide, will find its place in a beautiful flower bed. Offer her as companions oriental hellebores, daphne, as well as a wintergreen lying in the foreground, which will take over from flowering and dress the massif with its fruits in winter.
