6 autumn camellias to discover

Camellia Yume with luxuriant pink flowering

Camellia Yume is emblematic for its abundant flowering from October to December (even January). It produces flowers with fine petals, pink in the centre and white around the edge. Its single flowers are scented and evoke a sweet blend of lily and jasmine. With a dense, bushy habit, the bush just exceeds 1 metre in height and 1.20 metres in width. It tolerates down to -12°C and prefers semi-shaded situations sheltered from wind. It is possible to grow it in a pot.

Very floriferous, Camellia Yume is a reliable choice for autumn gardens.

Bonus: long, abundant, scented and elegant flowering.

Camellia Early Pearly with early pearly-white flowering

Camellia Early Pearly is a variety that flowers early with small rounded white flowers like little pearls, hence its name. Its flowers appear from October through to December. Measuring 4 to 5 cm in diameter, the round flowers are double and imbricate in a pearly white. They stand out beautifully against the dark green foliage of the compact, bushy bush.

Hardy down to -12°C, Camellia Early Pearly reaches ripeness as a 1.20-metre-high bush.

Its little extra: early flowering in a superb pearly white, indispensable in an autumn border.

Camelia Bonanza, with peony-like rosy-red flowers

Camellia Bonanza is an outstanding autumn camellia for its small pinkish-red peony-shaped flowers. Long flowering extends from October to January and gives off a sweet fragrance typical of autumn camellias. This 1-metre-high bush with a rounded habit is hardy to -12°C and prefers a sunny position.

Its little extra: its pinkish-red peony flowers, magnificent in a Japanese garden, and its long, fragrant flowering.

Camellia Frosted Star, with magnolia-like flowers

Camellia Frosted Star is a variety particularly prized for its waxy white star-shaped flowers reminiscent of the star magnolia flower. Delicate, they are a genuine asset in gardens. But their appeal goes beyond flower shape. They are also very fragrant and large, up to 8 cm. They appear between November and December. They stand out particularly well against the bush’s glossy dark green foliage. At ripeness, camellia remains compact, reaching 1.5 metres in height with a 1 metre spread. It has a slight preference for regions with mild climates but is still hardy down to -10°C.

Its added bonus: large flowers, fragrance and compact size which allow it to be grown in a pot and in a small garden.

Camellia 'Interlude', with Parma-rose-coloured flowers

Camellia Interlude forms magnificent old-fashioned, rose-shaped pink flowers. Ideal in a romantic garden, this camellia forms double pale mauve flowers 6 cm in diameter with petals imbricate in a random pattern. It flowers from October to December on a bush 80 cm high by 80 cm wide. Small in size and of slow growth, it easily finds a place in a garden or even in a container.

Its little extra: its pale mauve, rose-shaped flowers and compact size make container growing very easy.

Camellia Choji Guruma, with early anemone-shaped flowers

Camellia Choji Guruma is a much-loved variety for its early flowers, appearing from September and taking the form of anemone-shaped pink flowers. Flowers measure 5 to 6 cm in diameter and are double. Outer corolla is formed of pale-pink petals with darker pink margins, while flower centre consists of tightly packed, slightly crinkled petals of deep pink. Flowers do not last long but are continuously renewed, forming a tapetum of flowers at the base of the bush. No risk of disappointment with this early-flowering variety, whose flowering lasts until the start of winter.

Hardy, Camellia Choji Guruma tolerates sunny, windy positions but prefers mild climates to avoid losing buds.

Added bonus: abundant, very early anemone-shaped pink flowers.

To go further

• Also discover 7 classic white camellias