Winter in South Carolina often strolls in with a mild touch, yet many gardens still fall flat once cold nights settle in—until camellias step forward and steal the spotlight.
These evergreen shrubs act like the South’s quiet showstoppers, bursting into bloom when most plants throw in the towel.
Gardeners across the state count on them to cut through the dull days of winter, add a dash of Southern charm, and prove that color refuses to take a holiday.
A well-placed camellia can turn a sleepy yard into the talk of the neighborhood.
Neighbors pause at the gate. Visitors raise a brow.
Even longtime gardeners tip their hats when glossy leaves and bold petals show up right on schedule.
The secret sits in the remarkable range of varieties suited to the Palmetto State’s climate—from the coast’s salt-kissed breezes to the Upstate’s cooler corners.
Each one brings its own personality, its own timing, and its own brand of winter magic.
1. Camellia Japonica ‘Debutante’
Picture a flower so perfectly pink and fluffy it looks almost too beautiful to be real.
That’s exactly what you get with ‘Debutante,’ a camellia variety that has captured hearts across the South for over 70 years.
Its peony-form blooms measure 3 to 4 inches across and feature layers upon layers of soft, ruffled petals in the most delicate shade of baby pink imaginable.
This variety starts its show in mid-winter, typically February through March, just when you’re desperate for color after months of brown and gray.
The shrub itself grows moderately fast, reaching 8 to 10 feet tall with a naturally rounded shape that requires very little pruning.
Dense, glossy green foliage provides year-round interest even when flowers aren’t present.
Gardeners love ‘Debutante’ because it’s remarkably forgiving of beginner mistakes.
Plant it in partial shade with acidic, well-drained soil, and it will reward you with reliable blooms year after year.
The flowers hold up exceptionally well in South Carolina’s unpredictable late-winter weather, bouncing back even after light frosts.
One charming trait: the blooms often have a subtle fragrance that sweetens the air on warm February afternoons.
Place this beauty near a walkway or patio where you can fully appreciate both its gorgeous flowers and pleasant scent throughout the late winter season.
2. Camellia Sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Imagine having brilliant red flowers blooming right during the December holidays.
‘Yuletide’ makes this dream a reality, earning its festive name by producing cheerful crimson blooms from November through January.
Each single-form flower features five bright red petals surrounding a prominent cluster of golden yellow stamens that create a striking contrast.
Did you know?
Sasanqua camellias like ‘Yuletide’ actually bloom earlier than their japonica cousins, making them the first to bring color back to winter gardens.
This variety grows upright and compact, reaching about 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide, which makes it ideal for narrow spaces or foundation plantings.
The real magic happens in how ‘Yuletide’ handles our South Carolina sun.
Unlike many camellias that prefer shade, this tough customer tolerates more direct sunlight, making it perfect for spots where other varieties might struggle.
Its smaller, finer-textured leaves give it an elegant appearance that complements both traditional and modern landscapes.
Pollinators absolutely adore this variety.
On mild winter days, you’ll spot bees buzzing around those golden centers, gathering precious nectar when few other food sources exist.
Plant ‘Yuletide’ where you can see it from windows, and enjoy nature’s holiday decorations without lifting a finger each December.
3. Camellia Japonica ‘Pink Perfection’
Some flowers earn their names through clever marketing, but ‘Pink Perfection’ truly lives up to its bold claim.
This showstopper produces formal double blooms that look like they were sculpted by an artist obsessed with symmetry.
Each flower measures 4 to 5 inches across with dozens of precisely arranged petals in a luminous shell-pink shade that catches light beautifully.
Blooms appear from January through March, providing that much-needed burst of color during the coldest stretch of South Carolina winters.
The flowers emerge slowly, opening gradually over several days, which means each bloom lasts longer than many other varieties.
This extended flower life makes ‘Pink Perfection’ especially valuable for gardeners who want maximum impact from every bud.
Growth habit tends toward the upright side, with plants eventually reaching 10 to 12 feet tall if left unpruned.
However, this variety responds beautifully to shaping, so you can easily maintain it at a smaller size for tighter spaces.
The dark green foliage provides a perfect backdrop that makes those pink blooms absolutely pop.
One insider tip: ‘Pink Perfection’ flowers are outstanding for floating in bowls indoors.
Cut a few blooms and arrange them in a shallow dish of water for an elegant centerpiece that brings the beauty of your winter garden right to your dining table.
4. Camellia Sasanqua ‘Shishi Gashira’
Not every garden has room for towering shrubs, which is precisely why ‘Shishi Gashira’ has become such a beloved favorite.
This dwarf camellia grows slowly and stays naturally compact, typically maxing out at just 4 to 5 feet tall and wide.
Its manageable size makes it perfect for small yards, container gardening, or creating low hedges that bloom all winter long.
Rose-red semi-double flowers cover the plant from October through December, creating a spectacular display that seems almost too abundant for such a small shrub.
Each bloom measures about 2 to 3 inches across with wavy petals that give them an informal, cottage-garden charm.
The flowers appear in such profusion that they sometimes completely hide the foliage beneath.
What really sets this variety apart is its incredible versatility in South Carolina landscapes.
It tolerates more sun than most camellias, handles our summer heat without complaint, and even works beautifully as an espalier trained against walls or fences.
The dense, compact growth habit also makes it an excellent choice for foundation plantings near homes.
Beginners particularly appreciate ‘Shishi Gashira’ because it’s nearly indestructible once established.
It resists pests and diseases better than many varieties, requires minimal fertilization, and bounces back quickly from occasional neglect.
For reliable winter color without fuss, this compact champion delivers every single year.
5. Camellia Japonica ‘April Dawn’
Most camellias come in solid colors, but ‘April Dawn’ breaks the mold with flowers that look hand-painted by nature herself.
Each bloom features white petals irregularly striped and splashed with pink, creating a candy-cane effect that’s utterly captivating.
No two flowers look exactly alike, which means you discover something new with every bloom that opens.
Despite its name suggesting spring, this variety actually starts blooming in February and continues through April, extending the camellia season beautifully.
The semi-double flowers measure 3 to 4 inches across with a loose, informal arrangement of petals that gives them a romantic, old-fashioned appeal.
Some blooms lean more pink while others show more white, depending on temperature and growing conditions.
Growth is moderately vigorous, with plants reaching 8 to 10 feet tall over time.
The shrub develops a nice upright habit that works well as a specimen plant or in mixed borders with azaleas and other acid-loving companions.
Glossy evergreen leaves stay attractive year-round, providing structure even during non-blooming months.
Gardeners who love cutting flowers for indoor arrangements find ‘April Dawn’ especially rewarding.
Those variegated blooms create stunning bouquets that last several days in water.
Place a vase of these beauties on your kitchen counter, and guests will inevitably ask about the gorgeous striped flowers that look almost too perfect to be real.
6. Camellia Japonica ‘Governor Mouton’
For gardeners who crave drama, ‘Governor Mouton’ delivers in spectacular fashion.
This old Southern heirloom produces some of the richest, deepest red blooms you’ll ever see on a camellia.
The semi-double flowers measure 3 to 4 inches across with wavy, crimson petals surrounding a crown of golden stamens that provides just enough contrast to make those reds even more intense.
Named after a Louisiana governor back in the 1850s, this variety has stood the test of time for good reason.
It blooms reliably from January through March, right when South Carolina gardens need bold color most desperately.
The flowers hold their color exceptionally well, not fading even in bright sunlight like some red varieties tend to do.
Growth is vigorous and upright, with mature plants reaching 10 to 12 feet tall and nearly as wide.
This makes ‘Governor Mouton’ an excellent choice for creating privacy screens or background plantings in larger gardens.
The dark green foliage is particularly glossy and attractive, maintaining good looks throughout all seasons.
One fascinating trait: older specimens often develop beautifully textured bark that adds winter interest even beyond the flowers.
Mature plants can live for 50 years or more, becoming cherished landmarks in family gardens.
Plant this variety as a legacy for future generations, and watch it become more magnificent with each passing year.
7. Camellia Sasanqua ‘Kanjiro’
Some plants just seem to radiate cheerfulness, and ‘Kanjiro’ definitely falls into that category.
This sasanqua variety produces an absolute explosion of bright rose-pink blooms from October through December, transforming into a solid mass of color that can be spotted from clear across the yard.
Each semi-double flower measures about 3 inches across with slightly ruffled petals that catch and reflect sunlight beautifully.
What makes ‘Kanjiro’ particularly special for South Carolina gardens is its exceptional cold tolerance.
While it blooms early in the season, those flowers can withstand light frosts that would damage more tender varieties.
This resilience means you get reliable blooms year after year, regardless of what our unpredictable winter weather throws at you.
Growth habit is upright and fairly fast, with plants reaching 8 to 10 feet tall and about 5 to 6 feet wide.
The relatively narrow form makes it perfect for tight spaces or for planting in rows as a flowering hedge.
Fine-textured foliage stays dense all the way to the ground, creating an attractive screen even when flowers aren’t present.
Pollinators adore ‘Kanjiro’ just as much as gardeners do.
On warm November days, you’ll see butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds visiting those abundant blooms.
Plant this variety near outdoor living spaces where you can enjoy both the stunning flowers and the wildlife they attract throughout the early winter months.