Camellia sinensis

If you’ve ever enjoyed a cup of green or black tea then you’ve already enjoyed this plant native to the highlands of the Himalayas. A relative of the ornamental Camellia tree, Tea is an easy to grow shrub that enjoys cool weather and moderate shade. Relatively slow-growing, Tea can easily be maintained at 4 to 5 feet in height and width and makes a great addition to the formal garden. Why not grow and make your own tea at home?

Evergreen, lanceolate foliage with serrated edges give way to creamy white and yellow dusted flowers in late summer, contrasting well with their spring flowering cousins, the Japanese Camelias. Surprisingly cold hardy, for anyone cooler than zone 7a this would make a great potted plant for many years.

Cold hardy to USDA Zone 7a or to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.