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All the worlds tea comes from this camellia species, grown mainly in plantations in the highlands of tropical Asia but also in southern China (its original home) and Japan, and more recently in various other parts of the world where the climate is suitably mild and humid. It normally makes a shrub of 6-10 ft (1.8-3 m) tall with thin, serrated leaves and rather insignificant, white to cream with a hint of lemon flowers about 1 in (25 mm) across borne on recurved stalks from the leaf axils; when grown for tea the plants are kept trimmed to about breast height and flowers are rarely seen. Hardiness zone from 9 To 11
Cultivation: Most camellias grow best in mild, humid climates and some species are very frost tender, but most of the cultivars are moderately frost hardy. They prefer well-drained, slightly acid soil enriched with organic matter and generally grow best in part-shade, though some cultivars are quite sun hardy. Good drainage is important to prevent phytophthora root rot, but they like to be kept moist. There are many varieties suited to pot culture and camellias make handsome tub specimens. Pruning is largely unnecessary, but plants can be trimmed after flowering or cut back harder if rejuvenation is required. Propagate from cuttings in late summer or winter, or by grafting.