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Key characteristics

Family: Theaceae
Height: 2 to 5 feet
Width: 2 to 5 feet
Flower color: Bright red with a prominent yellow center
Foliage color: Glossy dark green
Bloom time: Late fall to early winter
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Regular
Maintenance: Low, with occasional pruning after flowering
Growing zone: USDA zones 7 to 10
Wildlife: Attracts pollinators, particularly bees

Shrubs

Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'

Yuletide Camellia

Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide' is a beloved winter-blooming shrub celebrated for its vibrant display of single red flowers with prominent golden-yellow stamens, bringing seasonal cheer. It blooms from late fall into winter, often coinciding with the holiday season. The glossy, deep-green foliage provides a lush backdrop, making it an ideal choice for gardens and festive arrangements.

Native to Japan, Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide' thrives in partially shaded locations and is appreciated for its adaptability in garden landscapes or as a potted feature plant. Its combination of bold blossoms and evergreen foliage has made it a standout ornamental choice for colder months.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Regular

Bloom time

Late fall to early winter

Find this plant

Works well in

Foundation Plantings
Containers
Woodland Gardens
Shade Gardens

Companion plants

Sarcococca · Rodgersia · Cyclamen · Fatsia · Lungwort · Primrose

Design tip

Bright red flowers make this compact camellia a natural choice for enlivening an entry or patio during the quietest months of the year. A pair in matching containers can frame a doorway beautifully, creating a cheerful winter welcome without feeling overly formal.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)