Yunnan camellia

Camellia reticulata

Tall Chinese camellia reaching 6 m or more, with leathery dark leaves and enormous flowers up to 18 cm across in rose-pink, red, or white. Among the most spectacular flowers of any camellia.

Hardiness ratings

Yunnan camellia hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 8–10 −12.2 °C to 4.4 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H4 −10 °C to −5 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 8–9 −7 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 3–5 −5 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Native to Yunnan in southwestern China — has been cultivated and selected in Chinese temple gardens for over 1,000 years
  • Less hardy than C. japonica or C. sasanqua — succeeds best in mild maritime climates, shelter from cold winds
  • Eventually tree-sized — allow space for the full mature form
  • Many spectacular old Chinese cultivars (‘Captain Rawes’, ‘Mary Williams’, ‘Damanao’) for collectors

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Yunnan camellia against your zones

Reference

Yunnan camellia on Wikipedia