Camellia reticulata x fraterna 'Crimson Candles'

A Winter-Blooming Camellia with Noble Lineage

There is a quiet poetry in the camellia’s defiance of the cold—a blooming that comes not in spring's abundance, but in the leanest stretch of the year. And few cultivars speak this winter sonnet as clearly as Camellia reticulata x fraterna 'Crimson Candles'.

This remarkable hybrid hails from the careful hands of Dr. Clifford Parks of Camellia Forest Nursery, a pivotal figure in American camellia breeding. With deep ties to both academic research at the University of North Carolina and the practical art of propagation at Camellia Forest, Dr. Parks sought to expand the boundaries of what camellias could be—and where they could thrive. Introduced in the late 20th century, ‘Crimson Candles’ was part of a deliberate effort to combine the grandeur of Camellia reticulata—long cultivated in the temples and mountains of Yunnan Province, China—with the cold hardiness and floriferous nature of Camellia fraterna, a smaller, white-flowered species with humble but enduring qualities.

Dr. Parks’ creation proved successful: a shrub that is as resilient as it is resplendent, capable of blooming through Southern winters with upright, rose-pink flowers that emerge like lit tapers in the grey season. Aptly named for its bud shape and luminous color, ‘Crimson Candles’ became a favorite in gardens from the Carolinas to California, where it continues to be prized as one of the earliest blooming camellias for Zone 7 and warmer.

Unlike many camellias that droop with weight or hang shyly downward, ‘Crimson Candles’ carries its blossoms like a proud herald—upright, alert, and unbothered by the chill. Its evergreen foliage is tidy and dark, setting off the vivid blooms like velvet behind a gemstone. And though it speaks with the accent of the East, it has become fully at home in the Southern garden, a living bridge between continents and centuries.

Highlights

• Rare Hybrid: Bred by Dr. Clifford Parks, combining C. reticulata and C. fraterna for beauty and cold tolerance

• Cold-Hardy Performer: Suitable for USDA Zones 7–9

• Early Bloomer: Begins flowering in December or January, with blooms lasting into February

• Upright, Rose-Pink Flowers: Deep pink buds open into single to semi-double blooms held upright like candles

• Compact, Evergreen Growth: Reaches 6–8 ft tall; dense, dark foliage ideal for woodland borders or foundation plantings

• Excellent for Southern Gardens: Thrives in part-shade with moist, acidic soil

• Historic Lineage: Carries the elegance of ancient Chinese camellias into modern American landscapes