7 classic pink-flowered camellias

Camellia japonica ‘Bonomiana’: astonishing splashed flowers

The Japanese camellia ‘Bonomiana’ is a variety with an incredible flowering display. Its double flowers measure 7 to 8 cm and resemble magnificent roses. Their pale pink to white petals are delicately striated or splashed with carmine pink, creating flowers that look like true paintings, each one unique. Flowering occurs between late winter and early spring, from February to April.

This camellia has a compact, rounded habit, reaching 1.25m in height and 90cm in spread.

With moderate growth, it is suitable for both pot cultivation and planting in the ground. Give it a prime spot in isolation to showcase it perfectly. You can also pair it, in a large planter, with ericaceous plants that have white flowers, such as winter heathers (Erica darleyensis ‘White Perfection’, ‘Silberschmelze’ or ‘Winter Belles Katia’) or the charming flowering carpet formed by sweet violet.

Camellia japonica ‘Bonomiana’

Camellia japonica ‘Sweet Olive’: a rare variety with imbricate pink flowers

The Japanese camellia ‘Sweet Olive’ is one of the rare horticultural varieties that captivates us with its perfectly formed 6 cm flowers, featuring very geometric imbricate petals. The colour is a lovely gradient: deep pink on the outer rows and pale pink fading to white at the centre of the flower.

Although the flowering period is rather short (March to April), this camellia is undoubtedly worth adopting in a garden for its originality.

This beautiful rounded and bushy bush measures about 1 m in height and 1 m in spread.

Plant it in a bed alongside other pink-flowering plants, such as a bleeding heart. Fuchsias, astilbes, and hybrid lilies will then take over the flowering in summer.

Camellia japonica ‘Sweet Olive’

Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio's Jewel’: a true pink gem

The classic camellia ‘Nuccio’s Jewel’ flourishes from March to May. Its large double flowers measuring 7 cm reveal an uncommon colour: the petals are light pink tinged with salmon, but a deeper pink at their tips. This palette of shades gives a lot of volume and depth to the flowers.

This bush, with a more free and irregular habit than some of its relatives, reaches 1.5 m in height and 1 m in spread.

In a flowering hedge, it will accompany other bushes such as pink or white deutzias, mountain laurels, or even a snow tree.

Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Jewel’

Camellia ‘High Fragrance’: a prized variety for its fragrance

The field camellia ‘High Fragrance’ is a variety with large double flowers measuring 9 to 10 cm, with a crinkled appearance. They reveal a pale pink colour subtly enhanced with salmon and a small discreet nest of golden stamens. The flowering period extends from February to April, highlighted by attractive glossy olive-green foliage.

The number one asset of this camellia is its irresistible floral fragrance. It is indeed one of the most fragrant field varieties.

This bush reaches a height of 1.50 m and a spread of 1 m. Its rather flexible and free silhouette offers a fairly rapid growth. When cultivated near pathways, it will allow you to enjoy its scents throughout the flowering period. It is also a good candidate for borders, accompanied by other heather soil shrubs such as rhododendrons and azaleas, cornus, or hydrangeas. In a free hedge, a witch hazel would be a good companion, for example.

Camellia lutchuensis ‘High Fragrance’

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’: a dazzling flowering

The Japanese camellia ‘Volunteer’ offers a true spectacle from February to April. It features large double flowers measuring 10 cm in diameter, shaped like peonies. In terms of colour, it’s an explosion of pink shades, ranging from light to dark: the pastel pink petals are all enhanced by a centre veined with cherry-pink or wine-red. The hues are evolving, and each flower presents a unique blend of shades. A truly spectacular variety!

This elegant camellia reaches a height of 1.20 m and a spread of 1 m.

‘Volunteer’ creates a beautiful Japanese-inspired atmosphere in the garden. Pair it with spring-flowering pink magnolias, such as Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’, an ornamental cherry like Prunus glandulosa ‘Rosea Plena’, or even a Japanese maple.

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’

Camellia japonica ‘Valtevareda’: flowers of a brilliant pink

The Japanese camellia ‘Valtevareda’ produces intense pink flowers in spring, from April to May. With a diameter of approximately 9 cm, they are well-rounded and double, perfectly formed and regular. A variety with timeless elegance, it fits into all styles of garden!

‘Valtevareda’ reaches a height of 1.20 m and a spread of 1 m.

Accompany this camellia with spring bulbs to dress its base, in blue or purple shades: Crocus ‘Mammouth Flower Record’ or Crocus minimus ‘Bavella’, Hyacinth ‘Blue Pearl’ or ‘Sky Jacket’, field scillas or muscari.

Camellia japonica ‘Valtevareda’

Camellia ‘Spring Festival’: a very long pink flowering

The wild camellia ‘Spring Festival’ offers one of the longest flowering periods on this list, as it is in flower from February to May. The double flowers are small (5 cm), but abundant. Their soft pink colour is beautifully complemented by a heart of golden stamens.

The uncommon pyramid-shaped habit adds an extra touch of elegance to this bush, reaching 1.20 m in height and 80 cm in spread.

Its natural style will look wonderful at the base of large trees, accompanied by the decorative fronds of ferns such as asplenium, cyclamen, and brunneras.

Camellia ‘Spring Festival’

For further reading

Discover also 7 classic white camellias