Yuletide Camellia | Winter Blooming Evergreen

Red Blooms When Everything Else Is Dormant

Yuletide Camellia (Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide') is one of the most beloved winter-blooming shrubs in the South and Pacific Coast — and for good reason. Its single, bright red flowers with a bold cluster of golden-yellow stamens open from November through January, delivering vivid color precisely when the rest of the garden has gone quiet. Against its dense, glossy dark-green evergreen foliage, the blooms are nothing short of spectacular. Whether used as a specimen, a privacy screen, an espalier on a wall, or a container accent, Yuletide delivers year-round structure and a winter flower show that few plants can match.

Why Yuletide Is the Premier Winter Camellia

• Brilliant winter blooms — bright red single flowers with a showy golden-yellow center; blooms November through January when almost nothing else is flowering
• Dense, glossy evergreen foliage — deep green, lustrous leaves provide year-round structure, privacy screening, and backdrop planting
• Deer-resistant — camellias are generally avoided by deer; a reliable choice in landscapes with deer pressure
• Pollinator-friendly — winter blooms provide a critical nectar source for overwintering bees and other beneficial insects
• Versatile landscape use — works as a specimen, privacy hedge, espalier on walls and fences, or container plant for patios and entryways
• Compact, manageable growth — naturally upright and dense; responds well to shaping without losing its natural form

Hardiness & Growing Zones

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 7–10
• Zone 7: Hardy in-ground; plant in a sheltered location with protection from harsh north and west winds; mulch around the base for root protection in severe winters; flower buds may be damaged by hard freezes below 15°F
• Zones 8–9: Ideal conditions; vigorous growth with prolific winter blooming; the classic camellia climate
• Zone 10: Thrives in mild coastal and inland locations; may bloom earlier (October–November) in the warmest microclimates
• Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun (morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; tolerates more sun in cooler climates)
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5); camellias are sensitive to alkaline soils and poor drainage
• Mature size: 6–10 ft tall × 4–6 ft wide; easily maintained smaller with light pruning
• Bloom time: November–January (peak December–January in most zones)

Planting & Care Tips

Plant in acidic, well-drained soil with good organic matter. Camellias are sensitive to soil pH — if leaves yellow between the veins (chlorosis), the soil is likely too alkaline; amend with sulfur or use an acidifying fertilizer. Water consistently during the first growing season; established camellias are moderately drought-tolerant. Fertilize once after blooming ends (January–February) with a camellia/azalea-specific fertilizer; avoid fertilizing in fall, which can stimulate tender growth vulnerable to frost damage. Prune lightly immediately after blooming to shape — pruning later in the season removes next year’s flower buds.

Available Sizes

• 1 Gallon — most economical; great for mass planting or hedge projects
• 3 Gallon — well-established root system; faster to first bloom display