The quintessential classic Southern shrub and 2011 Georgia Gold Medal Plant (shrub), camellias offer so much. Exquisite blooms stand out against glossy green leaves in fall and winter. Sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua) bloom at the end of the year, starting to bloom in fall. Japonicas (Camellia japonica) bloom at the beginning of the year, from almost Christmas until almost Easter. The japonicas do best sheltered from the wind. They prefer morning sun with shade from noon on and love pine shade. Winter sun can scorch the leaves of japonicas planted in deciduous shade. This doesn't hurt the plant, just looks bad and worries the homeowner. Sasanquas are tougher plants and can take more sun. I would recommend afternoon shade for any camellias.

So which one is best for you? Stuart at Cofer’s Home & Garden Showplace in Athens recommends choosing both, so that you can enjoy months of blooms and the glossy green shrubs in the winter garden.

Not as pretty, but great for a story, is the tea camellia (Camellia sinensis), which has fragrant, small, white blooms on a 5’-6’ upright evergreen shrub. Young leaves and leaf buds are harvested to create tea in early spring to create tea – green, black or oolong, depending on the processing.

Photo: ‘Royal Velvet’ Camellia