The debate over whether camellias can actually handle a freeze is a bit of a rabbit hole. You’ll hear some gardeners swear they’re tough as nails, while others insist they’ll turn to mush at the first sign of frost. As with most things in the garden, the truth is in the details.
Camellias
The reason you hear so much conflicting advice about camellias and cold weather is simple: there are over 30,000 different varieties out there! With that much diversity, broad “yes” or “no” answers don’t really work. A success story about one plant doesn’t mean much unless you know exactly which cultivar it was.
Hardiness Zones
To make sense of it all, we look at USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. This is the international gold standard for figuring out the lowest temperatures a plant can typically survive. Here’s a quick breakdown of the zones we usually deal with in cooler climates:
- Zone 8: 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 to -12.3 °C)
- Zone 7: 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.4 to -17.7 °C)
- Zone 6: -10 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17.8 to -23.3 °C)
Camellias and Hardiness Zones
While those zone ratings are a great guide, they aren’t foolproof. There are three big things you need to keep in mind:
- These ratings apply to plants in the ground. If you have camellias in pots, they are much more vulnerable because their roots aren’t insulated by the earth.
- The numbers refer to temporary “cold snaps,” not weeks of sustained deep-freeze conditions.
- Where the plant was raised matters. A camellia grown in a mild climate like Italy might struggle more than the same variety raised in a local nursery.
Don’t forget about your garden’s microclimate, either. Biting winter winds can do more damage than the temperature itself. Finding a sheltered spot—like a protected courtyard or the lee side of your house—can make a huge difference in helping your camellia through the winter.
Cold-Hardy Varieties
Even with those caveats, there are definitely camellias tough enough to stay outside all year long. Just keep an eye on the forecast (and the wind chill!) so you can provide some extra protection if a record-breaking freeze heads your way.
Top Picks for Zone 6 (Selection)
- Camellia japonica “April Blues”
- Camellia japonica “Korean Fire”
- Camellia japonica “Jerry Hill” (A cross between ‘Frost Queen’ and ‘Variety Z’)
- Camellia japonica “Spring’s Promise”
- Camellia “Ashton’s Ballet” (A cross between ‘Shikishima’ and ‘Plain Jane’)
- Camellia “Winter’s Waterlily” (A cross between C. oleifera and ‘Mine-no-yuki’)
- Camellia “Winter’s Interlude” (A cross between ‘Plain Jane’ and C. sinensis)
- Camellia “Winter’s Snowman” (A hardy C. oleifera hybrid)
