Wilson Bros Gardens LLC

It's no wonder Camellias are staples in landscapes where they will grow. For one, they bloom during fall, winter, and early spring, when we need color in our gardens most. What's more, the abundant flowers are absolutely gorgeous, coming in a wide range of colors and forms, some even fragrant, and they are exceptionally hardy, long-lived, and low-maintenance shrubs.

Camellias have always been a staple in southern gardens, however, with the introduction of many new and more cold hardy Camellia varieties, such as the April Series and Winter Series, which was developed by Dr. Ackerman, these flowering beauties are moving their way north to new markets. While most Camellias are cold hardy to USDA Zone 8, meaning they will tolerate low winter temperatures of 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, we now offer many varieties that are cold hardy as far north as USDA Zone 6, which has low winter temperatures of -10 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit.

In USDA Zones north of Zone 6, where low winter temperatures drop below the low temperature threshold any Camellia can tolerate, any variety can be grown in containers that can overwintered in an interior space when temperatures drop low. 

If you live and garden in Zone 5 and you're a risk-taker, you may have luck growing Zone 6 Camellia varieties outside year round, but plant parts above ground can and often will be damaged or killed during a harsh winter. If you take the risk, make sure to plant in a protected site that provides at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day during the winter and insulate the roots in late fall with a 4 inch protective layer of mulch that is removed when temperatures warm in early spring. SEE: How To Protect Outdoor Plants From Freezing During Winter

(The low winter temperature threshold is listed beside the zone)

Below are a few of the most cold hardy Camellia varieties we offer that are cold hardy in USDA Zone 6, which means they will also be cold hardy in Zone 7. When on a plant page make sure to check the USDA Zone to see if it's hardy in your area! Find Your Zone >