Hong Kong Camellia (Camellia hongkongensis): colours, meaning, where it grows and when it blooms

The Hong Kong Camellia is a small evergreen tree native to Hong Kong and Guangdong. It is the only local camellia species in Hong Kong with red flowers, and grows up to 10 metres tall. Protected in Hong Kong, it is also grown in Japan and found in arboretums and public gardens.

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Only native Hong Kong camellia with red flowers
First found on Victoria Peak in 1849
Protected species under Hong Kong law
Grows up to 10 metres tall
Introduced to Japan in 1958

What does Hong Kong Camellia look like?

The Hong Kong Camellia is a small evergreen tree that can reach up to 10 metres in height. Its young branches are reddish brown, and the leaves are leathery, oblong, and smooth, measuring between 7 and 13 cm long. This species is unique among Hong Kong camellias for its red flowers, which stand out against its glossy green foliage.

Where does Hong Kong Camellia come from?

Camellia hongkongensis grows wild in Hong Kong and Guangdong. It was first discovered in 1849 in a ravine on Victoria Peak by Colonel Eyre. Later, it was found in other parts of Hong Kong Island, including Pok Fu Lam, Mount Nicholson, and Mount Parker. The species was introduced to Japan in 1958 from the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

When and how Hong Kong Camellia blooms

This camellia grows naturally in ravines and wooded areas. It is cultivated in public gardens such as the Shing Mun Arboretum. The tree is evergreen, and its smooth, leathery leaves and reddish young branches make it distinctive. It is grown for its rare red flowers and as a specimen tree in gardens.

How Hong Kong Camellia is used

The Hong Kong Camellia is protected by law in Hong Kong and is grown in arboretums and public gardens for conservation and display. It is valued for its unique red flowers and as a symbol of Hong Kong’s native flora. Specimens can be seen by visitors in places like the Shing Mun Arboretum.

Kinds of Hong Kong Camellia

There are no notable cultivars or varieties mentioned for Camellia hongkongensis. It is sometimes compared to other camellias, such as Grantham's camellia, but stands out as the only native Hong Kong camellia with red flowers.

What Hong Kong Camellia means

Camellia hongkongensis is protected under Hong Kong’s Forestry Regulations. Its rarity and unique red flowers make it a symbol of local plant diversity. It is featured in public gardens and has been introduced to Japan for cultivation. Its conservation status highlights the importance of protecting native species.

Where Hong Kong Camellia is used and seen

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical GardensA historic garden and zoo in Central, Hong Kong with themed plant collections

New Orleans Botanical GardenA public garden in City Park with themed plant collections and art deco features

Dandenong Ranges Botanic GardenA cool-climate garden in the hills near Melbourne, famous for rhododendrons and cherry blossom

Hunter Valley GardensA vast themed garden and event venue in Pokolbin, New South Wales

Mendocino Coast Botanical GardensA coastal garden in Mendocino County, California with ocean views and diverse plantings

South China National Botanical GardenA major botanical garden in Guangzhou with diverse plant collections and research focus

ChabanaSimple flower arrangements for the Japanese tea ceremony

Sim's Park, CoonoorA century-old botanical garden in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu

Questions people ask about Hong Kong Camellia

Where does the Hong Kong Camellia come from?

It is native to Hong Kong and Guangdong, growing wild in ravines and wooded areas on Hong Kong Island and in Guangdong province.

What does the Hong Kong Camellia look like?

It is a small evergreen tree with reddish brown young branches, leathery oblong leaves, and distinctive red flowers.

Is the Hong Kong Camellia protected?

Yes, it is a protected species in Hong Kong under Forestry Regulations Cap. 96A, and is grown in public gardens for conservation.

Where can I see the Hong Kong Camellia?

Specimens are found in places like the Shing Mun Arboretum and other public gardens in Hong Kong.

What is special about this camellia?

It is the only camellia species native to Hong Kong with red flowers, making it unique among local camellias.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Camellia hongkongensis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Sim's Park, Coonoor: Thangaraj Kumaravel, CC BY 2.0, source

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens: No machine-readable author provided. NBG626 assumed (based on copyrigh, CC BY-SA 2.5, source

New Orleans Botanical Garden: Reading Tom, CC BY 2.0, source

Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden: Chris Phutully, CC BY 2.0, source

Camellia: junichiro aoyama, CC BY 2.0, source

Camellia reticulata: BernardM, Public domain, source

Chinese Lily: John Lykkegaard, CC BY-SA 2.5, source

Hunter Valley Gardens: CassieShepherd, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: Allie Caulfield, CC BY 2.0, source

South China National Botanical Garden: Nrya, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Chabana: Gryffindor, CC0, source

Camellia amplexicaulis: Hungda, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Floral design: Jmaxx37, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Qingming Festival: Jacklee ., CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Hong Kong Camellia