White camellias are a timeless addition to any garden, bringing a sense of elegance and serenity with their exquisite blooms. These evergreen shrubs come in a variety of cultivars, each offering unique forms and features to complement your space. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to 15 stunning white camellia varieties that can transform your garden into a showcase of grace and beauty.

1) Camellia ‘Silver Waves’

Camellia japonica ‘Silver Waves’ is a breathtaking white camellia known for its large, semi-double blooms. The silvery-white petals surround a cheerful yellow center, creating a simple yet elegant display. Blooming from winter into early spring, this mid-season camellia brings brightness to shaded corners of the garden.

Growing to a manageable 6 to 8 feet tall, ‘Silver Waves’ thrives in USDA Zones 8 to 10 and prefers partial to full shade in a protected spot. Its upright growth habit and lush foliage make it an excellent choice for a striking hedge or a standout feature in your landscape.

2) Camellia ‘White Empress’

Camellia japonica ‘White Empress,’ bred in Alabama in 1939, is a timeless and graceful addition to any garden. Its large, double or semi-double white flowers feature fluted petals that add texture and elegance, surrounding a striking cluster of golden-yellow stamens.

Thriving in USDA Zones 6 to 9, this mid-season bloomer puts on its show during the winter months, brightening up the cooler season. Growing quickly compared to other camellias, ‘White Empress’ reaches an impressive 10 to 12 feet tall, making it a stunning choice for larger garden spaces.

It prefers a sheltered spot with partial shade, where it can flourish and add a touch of regal charm to the landscape.

3) Camellia ‘Sea Foam’

Camellia japonica ‘Sea Foam,’ introduced by John T. Weisner in 1959, is a striking variety known for its architectural beauty. Its formal double blooms resemble pristine white rosettes, exuding a timeless elegance that enhances any garden.

This cultivar grows to an impressive 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide, making it a commanding presence. Hardy to 10ºF in USDA Zones 7 to 9, ‘Sea Foam’ performs best in stable climates, as it can struggle with sudden temperature swings. Blooming in spring, it thrives in partial shade, adding a sophisticated touch to sheltered garden spaces.

4) Camellia ‘Snow Flurry ‘

Camellia ‘Snow Flurry’ is a graceful hybrid that combines resilience with beauty. A cross between Camellia oleifera and Camellia sasanqua ‘Frost Princess,’ this variety features charming anemone-form white blooms that brighten the garden with their delicate simplicity.

Designed for cold-hardiness, ‘Snow Flurry’ thrives in USDA Zones 6 to 9 and flowers early in the season, from late fall to early winter. With its compact size—reaching 5 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide—it’s perfect for smaller spaces or as a feature in mixed borders. Its early blooms and manageable profile make it a reliable and elegant addition to any landscape.

5) Camellia ‘Nuccio’s Gem’

Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Gem’ is a stunning white variety known for its impeccable form and timeless beauty. Its formal double blooms, pure white and arranged in rosette perfection, reach up to 4 inches across, creating a striking display.

This mid-season bloomer flowers in winter, thriving in USDA Zones 7 to 10. Though it can eventually grow to an impressive 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, ‘Nuccio’s Gem’ takes its time, making it a long-term investment in elegance.

Plant it in partial to full shade in a sheltered spot, and it will reward you with decades of understated sophistication.

6) Camellia ‘Alba Plena’

Camellia japonica ‘Alba Plena’ is a piece of living history, among the oldest camellia cultivars in the world. First imported from China to England in 1792 and later to America by 1800, it has charmed gardeners for centuries with its timeless elegance. Its formal double blooms, a pristine white and up to 4 inches across, embody classic beauty.

This early-season variety flowers from fall through winter, thriving in USDA Zones 7 to 9. Reaching a manageable size of 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, ‘Alba Plena’ is ideal for smaller spaces or as a focal point in shaded areas, where its pure white blossoms light up the garden.

7) Camellia ‘Bessie Battle’

The Camellia japonica ‘Bessie Battle’ is a standout white variety with a relaxed, blousy charm. Its semi-double blooms feature pure white petals with delicately notched edges, surrounding a cheerful cluster of golden-yellow stamens. Each flower measures up to 3.5 inches across, offering understated elegance.

Thriving in USDA Zones 7 to 9, ‘Bessie Battle’ grows to a stately 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide when mature, making it a striking addition to any garden. As a mid-season bloomer, it brightens winter days and carries its beauty into early spring. Plant it in partial shade and a sheltered spot for the best display.

8) Camellia ‘Cream Puff’

Camellia japonica ‘Cream Puff’ is a charming hybrid with a delightful twist. Created by crossing Camellia japonica ‘Frost Queen’ and ‘White Butterfly,’ it’s one of the Ackerman hybrids bred for exceptional cold hardiness. This variety stands out not only for its resilience but also for its semi-double, peony-form flowers that exude a refreshing lemony fragrance.

Thriving in USDA Zones 7 to 10, ‘Cream Puff’ grows up to 12 feet tall, making it a graceful choice for larger gardens. Blooming from late winter to early spring, typically January through March, it brings beauty and a soft scent to the cooler months, brightening even the gloomiest days.

9) Camellia reticulata ‘Baihuajin’

Camellia reticulata ‘Baihuajin’ is a stunning variety that showcases elegant white blooms. A species native to China, Camellia reticulata has a rich history of cultivation spanning thousands of years. The first specimen made its way to England in 1820, introducing its beauty to Western gardeners.

In its natural habitat, this plant grows as a small tree, reaching heights of up to 50 feet. In cultivated gardens, it typically matures at around 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide, making it an impressive focal point. Thriving in USDA Zones 7 to 9, ‘Baihuajin’ prefers partial shade and adds timeless charm to sheltered garden spaces.

10) Camellia ‘Scentuous’

Camellia ‘Scentuous’ is a delightful hybrid blending Camellia japonica and Camellia lutchuensis, resulting in blousy, peony-form white blooms with a delicate, sweet fragrance. Known for its prolific flowering, this variety brings elegance and charm to any garden.

A mid to late-season bloomer, ‘Scentuous’ graces gardens with its blossoms from January through May. Compact and versatile, it grows to 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for smaller spaces. Thriving in USDA Zones 7 to 9, it prefers a sheltered spot with full sun to partial shade, rewarding gardeners with months of floral beauty.

11) Camellia x williamsii ‘Jury’s Yellow’

Camellia x williamsii ‘Jury’s Yellow’ is a captivating variety, known for its unique white anemone-form blooms. At its center, cream-colored petals with a soft yellow tint create a luminous contrast, giving this cultivar its fitting name.

A late-season bloomer, ‘Jury’s Yellow’ graces the garden with its distinctive flowers from March to April. It thrives in USDA Zones 8 to 10, preferring partial to full shade in a sheltered spot.

Reaching up to 13 feet tall and wide at maturity, it’s an excellent choice for adding both height and intrigue to shaded garden spaces.

12) Camellia japonica ‘Shiro Chan’

Camellia japonica ‘Shiro Chan’ is a refined white cultivar that adds a touch of delicacy to any garden. Its large double blooms feature pure white petals elegantly edged or streaked with soft pink, encircling a cluster of vibrant golden-yellow stamens.

This mid-season variety blooms in late winter, brightening gardens during the cooler months. Thriving in USDA Zones 7 to 9, ‘Shiro Chan’ prefers partial shade and warm, sheltered conditions.

Reaching up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide, it makes a graceful statement as a focal point or a standout in mixed plantings.

13) Camellia x williamsii ‘Coppelia Alba’

Camellia x williamsii ‘Coppelia Alba’ is a charming hybrid celebrated for its simplicity and resilience. Its single white flowers, accented by a bright cluster of golden-yellow stamens, bring understated elegance to any garden.

This hybrid, a cross between Camellia japonica and Camellia saluenensis, is valued for its hardiness and extended bloom time. Like most Camellia x williamsii cultivars, ‘Coppelia Alba’ flowers from winter through spring, offering months of beauty.

Thriving in USDA Zones 6 to 10, it’s a versatile choice for gardeners seeking both durability and a graceful display.

14) Camellia japonica ‘Duchesse de Berry’

Camellia japonica ‘Duchesse de Berry’ is a refined cultivar that exudes classic charm. Its round, cup-shaped formal double flowers are arranged in a perfectly layered rosette, making it a stunning addition to any garden.

Ideal for warm, humid climates in USDA Zones 7 to 9, this variety thrives in a sheltered, partially shaded spot to shield it from cold winds. A mid-season bloomer, it graces gardens with its elegant flowers in late winter.

Growing to a stately 10 to 12 feet tall, ‘Duchesse de Berry’ is an excellent choice for adding vertical beauty and sophistication to your landscape.

15) Grantham’s Camellia

Grantham’s camellia (Camellia granthamiana) is a rare and endangered treasure native to select regions of China and Hong Kong. Discovered in 1955 and named after Sir Alexander Grantham, the governor of Hong Kong at the time, this species captivates with its large, single white flowers accented by striking bright orange stamens.

This camellia is best suited to warm climates in USDA Zones 9 to 10, as it cannot tolerate cold temperatures. It thrives in a greenhouse or a sheltered spot with partial shade. As an early-season bloomer, it flowers in the fall, adding a unique beauty to the cooler months.

Reaching up to 12 feet tall, Grantham’s camellia is a distinctive choice for collectors and enthusiasts who can provide the care this rare gem requires.

Wrapping Up   

White camellias add natural beauty to any outdoor space. These flowers come in several forms, from single or semi-double blooms to rose or peony-form flowers. With so many gorgeous white camellias available, you’re bound to find one that fits your garden.

Further reading: Discover 20 beautiful types of pink camellias.

Andrew Gaumond

Editorial Director | andrew@petalrepublic.com | Full Bio

Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.