Yunnan camellia Camellia reticulata
Yunnan camellia (Camellia reticulata) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Theaceae family, native to Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou (south-west China). It grows 4–10 m (13–33 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Yunnan camellia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Yunnan camellia at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Theaceae |
| Mature height | 4–10 m (13–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou (south-west China) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Yunnan camellia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous (camellias are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Yunnan camellia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Yunnan camellia
- How far apart should I plant Yunnan camellia?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Yunnan camellia need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Yunnan camellia need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Yunnan camellia?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Yunnan camellia flower?
- From about February for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Yunnan camellia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous (camellias are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs).
- What grows well with Yunnan camellia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Yunnan camellia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Needs acid, lime-free soil (like other rhododendrons and camellias): in chalky ground grow it in a large pot of ericaceous compost.
- The camellia with the biggest flowers, often 10–15 cm, semi-double and frilled, in late winter and spring. Grown for centuries in the temple gardens of Kunming and Dali, where some trees are said to be several hundred years old; the first form to reach Europe, ‘Captain Rawes’, arrived in 1820. Best on a sheltered wall or under glass in cold areas.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Sasanqua camellia Camellia sasanqua
- Tea plant Camellia sinensis
- Japanese stewartia Stewartia pseudocamellia
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander