Cold hardiness

Future

2050

2100

These values are location-based: this location's current hardiness is the baseline, and the 2050 value is a projected future climate for this same location.

Now

Zone 6b

USDA

Published baseline for this location from 1991-2020.

Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer

Won't grow here

2050

Zone 7a

Plotwright

Projected zone for this same location in 2050 (2041-2070) using SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry).

Marginal

In plain terms: This location is in Zone 6b today. Its hardiness profile is cold winters, and coldest nights are typically around -3°F. By 2050, the projected hardiness zone is Zone 7a based on SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry). That is a +0.5-zone shift from Zone 6b to Zone 7a by 2050.

✕→⚠

Out of range today, but marginally possible by 2050.

Heat tolerance

Future

2050

2100

Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.

Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...

Where this plant fits

Suitable across 39 ecoregions — 35 climate-resilient through 2070 · 1 suited today · 3 newly possible by 2070. Best matches first.

Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests

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Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests

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Arizona Mountains forests

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Atlantic coastal pine barrens

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Blue Mountains forests

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Canadian Aspen forests and parklands

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Central Pacific Northwest coastal forests

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Central Tallgrass prairie

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Central-Southern Cascades Forests

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Chilean Matorral

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What it needs

Conditions

Light

Part shade

Water

Consistent moisture

Spacing

72"

Habit

Upright broadleaf evergreen flowering shrub

Care tips

•

Site in part shade with shelter from direct afternoon sun and drying wind; cold, exposed spots damage buds and flowers.

•

Keep the soil acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5) and consistently moist with organic matter; alkaline soil causes decline.

•

Treat USDA zone 7 as the cold edge — in colder areas grow as a container or greenhouse plant, or choose a cultivar bred for exceptional hardiness.

Lifecycle

Planting

Where winter hardy (USDA zones 7-9), plant in moist, acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5), loose, organically rich, well-drained soil in part shade, sheltered from direct afternoon sun and wind. In the northern part of the range choose a sheltered location.

Transplanting

Move young plants with a generous root ball while temperatures are moderate; keep the soil acidic and evenly moist after the move.

Early growth

Keep soil consistently moist while roots establish and protect from drying wind and hot afternoon sun. Maintain acidic conditions; mulch without burying the stems.

Maturity

Mature plants reach roughly 7-12 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide. Flowers (3-5 inches wide) bloom in mid-late winter (December to March) in warm-winter climates or greenhouses, and in early spring (April) at the northern edge of the range.

Propagation

Named cultivars are typically propagated by cuttings or grafting rather than seed; verify cultivar restrictions before propagating.

Pollination

Pollination not applicable

Camellia japonica is grown as an ornamental flowering shrub rather than for a pollination-dependent fruit or seed crop, so no garden cross-pollination arrangement is required for its display value. NC State Extension notes the flowers attract pollinators; the Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder profile does not specify a pollination requirement.

Plants don't grow alone

Shelter / habitat

Bird

Eastern songbirds (multi-species) (multiple species (Passeriformes))

NC State Extension reports that Camellia japonica attracts songbirds and provides cover for wintering birds — its dense evergreen canopy gives shelter in the cold season when deciduous plants are bare.

For people

Not eaten by humans

Grown strictly as an ornamental flowering shrub, not a food crop. NC State Extension lists Camellia japonica as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, but neither it nor the Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder profile describes it as a human food.

Native range

AHS heat range

6-11

Climate notes

•

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder lists Camellia japonica for USDA zones 7 to 9 as a broadleaf evergreen, 7-12 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide, in part shade with medium water, native to Japan, China, and Korea.

•

Per Missouri Botanical Garden, it needs moist, acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5), loose, organically rich, well-drained soil and shelter from direct afternoon sun and wind; in St. Louis (zone 6) it is generally grown indoors at the Linnean House except for a few exceptionally hardy recent cultivars.

•

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox lists Camellia japonica for USDA zones 7a-9b, notes it attracts pollinators and songbirds and provides cover for wintering birds, and lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

In the designer

Growth over time

84-144" tall · 60-120" spread

Mature 7-12 foot evergreen shrub anchoring a shaded border or informal hedge.

Design roles: Focal point · Structure

Seasonal interest

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Filled = the plant has seasonal interest · ▾ now = your current season

Camellia

At a glance

Why it matters

Cold hardiness

Heat tolerance

Where this plant fits

What it needs

Lifecycle

Pollination

Plants don't grow alone

For people

Native range

Climate notes

In the designer

Seasonal interest

Sources & citations