Common Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) is a broadleaved, evergreen shrub, which may grow to a height of 25 feet, but more often to 6 to 12 feet. It has a spread of 6 to 10 feet. The dark-green leathery leaves are 4 inches long. The flowers, which range in color from white to pink and red, are 3 to 5 inches in diameter. They flower on different varieties from September until April. The flowers may be single, semi-double, or double.

Some Japanese camellias, around the emperor’s palace in Japan, are known to be more than 500 years old.

Camellia sasanqua is a broad-leaved evergreen shrub, varying in form from upright and densely bushy to low and spreading. Heights range from 1½ to 12 feet tall. The leaves are dark green, shiny and about 2 inches long. They are usually darker green and smaller than the leaves of C. japonica or C. reticulata. The flowers are mostly white and single, 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and very fragrant.

Camellia oleifera is a large shrub to 20 feet tall with glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, 2-inch-wide flowers in fall.

Camellia reticulata has some of the biggest and most spectacular flowers, but is a rather gaunt and open shrub, about 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. This species is very susceptible to cold. Mild frost will kill the plant. C. reticulata hybridized with C. japonica or C. salvenensis results in excellent hybrids.