For centuries, The Camellia has adorned our gardens, tables, and even our lapels.  Camellias are known as the 'Queen of Ornamentals' and it's not surprising why.  There are countess varieties of Camellias all with diverse characteristics such as bloom forms, colors, patterns, and flower seasons, growth habits and foliage characteristics.  No other ornamental shrub can even come close to the Camellia.

The Camellia genus is a collection of plants  that contains over 250 known species with hundreds of thousands of varieties within each species.  They are evergreen and typically bloom in the US from September-April.   

Camellias are not native to the US.  They originated in China, Japan and Southeast Asia and are prized for their exquisite charm and grandeur they bring to the garden.  

Most Camellia species are considered ornamental in nature - meaning that there is use is as an ornamental shrub. The exception to this is the species Camellia sinensis, which is commonly used for producing tea.  Ornamental Camellias are not used for tea, only the leaves of Camellias sinensis are used for that.  Read More About Tea

CamelliaShop And Our Camellia History

We have grown Camellias for over 60 years in our family owned business.  We are so fortunate to live in a city full of Camellias and in a climate where they thrive.  They have been the driving force of our business and also our passion and we hope that they will be yours too!  

At CamelliaShop, we grow and sell many different types of Camellias, most are ornamental flowering camellias. 

But there is a species of Camellia that is better known for another important attribute - the ability to make Tea!

Camellia sinensis, also known as the Tea Plant, has been used for thousands of years for tea.  While it is a camellia, and it does flower, it is traditionally used for producting the worlds most popular beverage only after water.  

But don't get all excited and run out and start taking the leaves off the big red camellia in the front yard!  Camellia sinensis is the only species that has all of the important elements for making tea - namely Caffeine.  The other Camellias are just for looks, not for making tea.