7 camellias to grow in pots

Camellia ‘Tom Pouce’: the graphic and delicate touch

The classic camellia ‘Tom Thumb’ offers an unusual flowering colour. The petals are a pale pink veined with bright pink and edged with a white border, as if painted with watercolours. Its fully double flowers are round, dense, and generous, almost resembling roses. They measure 6 to 7 cm in diameter. This camellia blooms in late winter, from February to April.

Its slow growth, compact habit, and small silhouette, measuring 1 metre in height and 80 cm in spread, are very well suited for pot cultivation. Hardy down to -15°C, this variety will thrive on a partially shaded terrace, sheltered from prevailing winds.

7Camellia ‘Tom Thumb’

Camellia japonica ‘Lipstick’: a very original flowering

The Japanese camellia ‘Lipstick’ enchants us with the shape of its flowers. They resemble anemones, initially revealing a row of outer petals. A frilled and compact petaloid heart forms the second row, resembling a true pompom. The colour is also striking: the outer corolla displays a red-purple, while the heart is variegated with red and white. The flowering brightens up winter, from January to March. A small variety of Japanese camellia for pots that does not go unnoticed!

Its very modest size (60 cm in height and 80 cm in spread), its compact habit and slow growth make it a perfect variety for greening a balcony or adding a touch of Japanese inspiration. Provide it with a location away from the scorching rays of the sun and sheltered from prevailing winds and rain.

Camellia japonica ‘Lipstick’

Camellia ‘Sweet Emily Kate’: a wild silhouette and a sweet fragrance

Wild camellias generally have a looser habit than traditional camellias, offering a very natural appearance. This is the case with the wild camellia ‘Sweet Emily Kate’, whose almost creeping silhouette will fit beautifully in a large planter or trough. It measures 60 cm in height and 80 cm in width.

Its double flowers reveal themselves in spring, from March to May. They measure about 5 cm in diameter and have an adorable crumpled pom-pom shape. Their light pink colour is very refined. Additionally, these flowers exude a pleasant scent of wildflowers.

Place this camellia in a pot near high-traffic areas to fully enjoy its fragrance.

Camellia lutchuensis ‘Sweet Emily Kate’

Camellia japonica 'San Dimas': a vibrant colour

The Japanese camellia ‘San Dimas’ brings a lot of colour and vitality. In partial shade or shade, it will brighten up small spaces with its silky, intense poppy red colour, accentuated by a nest of bright yellow stamens. The glossy dark green foliage perfectly highlights these semi-double flowers, which are 7 cm in diameter.

This camellia blooms at the end of winter, from February to April. It is perfectly suited for pot cultivation due to its compact, upright habit and small dimensions (1 metre in height and 80 cm in spread).

Place it in a beautiful pot on the terrace or near the entrance to showcase it perfectly.

Camellia japonica ‘San Dimas’

Camellia ‘Botanyuki’: an adorable dwarf variety

The classic camellia ‘Botanyuki’ flowers from February to April. It is adorned with semi-double 8 cm peony-shaped flowers. They display a cream-white hue with salmon reflections, giving them a particularly delicate appearance. The glossy dark green foliage serves as a backdrop for this beautiful flowering.

Measuring 1 metre in all directions, this compact variety, with its upright bushy habit, is perfect for pot cultivation. This camellia will bring a true touch of refinement and lightness to small spaces.

Camellia ‘Botanyuki’

Camellia (x) williamsii ‘Donation’: ideal for beginners

The camellia ‘Donation’ is an easy-to-grow variety, ideal even for beginner gardeners.

Almost all winter from January to April, it showcases its light pink flowering, veined with darker pink, illuminated by a small heart of golden stamens. Its large semi-double flowers reach 12 cm in diameter, and their petals are slightly crinkled.

Very floriferous, hardy, and vigorous, the bush tolerates cool or humid climates. Its silhouette reaches 1.2 metres at ripeness with a spread of 1 metre and offers an upright yet flexible habit that is quite uncommon.

Place it in a large pot or container, in a shaded or partially shaded area to make the most of its abundant flowering. This variety can also tolerate a sunny exposure in the early part of the day.

Camellia williamsii ‘Donation’

Camellia japonica ‘Lady Vansittart’: flowers in a variety of shades

This is the largest camellia in this selection, perfect for pot cultivation: ‘Lady Vansittart’. It reaches a height of 1.3 metres and a spread of 1.2 metres at maturity. Its compact, bushy habit is well-suited for container growing.

This Japanese camellia enchants us with its unique flowering, changing with each bloom. Its semi-double flowers measure 6 to 9 cm and resemble large tulips. They are characterised by never displaying the same shades, randomly varying between white, pink, and crimson red. Some are striated or marbled, while others are solid: a floral spectacle that is hard to tire of! All of this is highlighted by a small heart of golden stamens.

Flowering occurs in spring from March to May, enhanced by dark green, glossy foliage, slightly edged, reminiscent of holly.

Place this camellia in a large pot, near the entrance or in high-traffic areas, to admire its vibrant blooms.

Camellia japonica ‘Lady Vansittart’ (photo Leonara Enking)

For further reading

• Discover also 7 classic white camellias