Cold Hardy Tea Plant

This Chinese tea plant is the cold-tolerant variety of Camellia sinensis, grown for its leaves and buds as well as its evergreen foliage. It produces fragrant white, sometimes pink-tinged flowers in fall and early winter. The Chinese type has smaller leaves than the Assam variety and is better suited to cooler growing regions. ## Form and garden use [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/camellia-sinensis/common-name/tea-plant/) describes tea camellia as a slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree, typically about 6–15 feet tall and 4–8 feet wide. It can serve as a hedge, screen, or edible garden plant. NC State Extension reports this variety can be hardy into USDA zone 6; protection and local conditions still affect winter survival. ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun or partial shade in acidic, moist, well-drained soil. Good drainage is important even where regular watering is needed. The flowers attract bees. Harvested young leaves and buds can be processed into white, green, oolong, or black tea. ## Maintenance Water during dry weather and prune or pinch branch tips to encourage fresh shoots. For ornamental form, shape lightly after flowering; for harvest, pruning before spring growth encourages branching. Monitor for scale and aphids, particularly on stressed plants.