Eligibility, Purpose, and Criteria for Camellia Cultivar Registration

Any individual may apply for registration of a new camellia seedling or mutation (sport). This includes camellia show exhibitors, plant breeders, nurserymen, and public gardens. Approved new cultivar registrations will be posted on the American Camellia Society website and published in the upcoming American Camellia Society Yearbook. In addition, the cultivar name and description will be published in the Southern California Camellia Society’s Camellia Nomenclature. The nomenclature is the official North American reference source used by plant breeders, public gardens, nurseries, camellia collectors/show exhibitors, and camellia show judges. Camellia cultivars must be registered and listed in the Camellia Nomenclature in order to be eligible for an award when exhibited at an ACS sanctioned camellia show.

Seedlings or sports which are submitted for a new cultivar registration must have one or more characteristics which would qualify it as unique or distinct enough to meet the criteria for registration approval. Bloom characteristics, plant growth habit, bloom season, cold hardiness, landscape performance, and disease resistance are all characteristics which the committee may consider to potentially approve your camellia as unique. The evaluation committee will compare your camellia with the 15,000 plus cultivars already registered with ACS to determine its uniqueness.

The following illustrations are examples of camellias that have fulfilled the requirement of being unique and have been registered with the American Camellia Society.


Camellia japonica 'Aspasia MacArthur'	Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis

Camellia japonica ‘Margaret Davis’ originated as a branch sport (mutation) on Camellia japonica ‘Aspasia MacArthur’. It exhibits distinct floral characteristics which qualified it for registration approval.


Camellia hybrid ‘Mary Christian’	Camellia hybrid ‘Golden Spangles’

Camellia hybrid ‘Golden Spangles’ originated as a branch sport on Camellia hybrid ‘Mary Christian’. It exhibits distinctly different foliage color from the original plant.


Camellia sasanqua 'Egao'	Camellia sasanqua 'Egao Corkscrew'

Camellia sasanqua ‘Egao Corkscrew’ originated as a branch sport on Camellia sasanqua ‘Egao’. It exhibits a unique zig- zag growth habit.


Camellia japonica 'Ferris Wheel'	Camellia japonica ‘Tama Peacock’

Camellia japonica ‘Ferris Wheel’ and Camellia japonica ‘Tama Peacock’ both originated as chance seedlings (open pollenated). They exhibit a unique combination of floral qualities.

Camellia hybrid 'Senritsu-ko'

Camellia hybrid ‘Senritsu-ko’ originated as a controlled cross between Camellia nitidissima and Camellia hybrid ‘Kiho’. It exhibits unique floral color combinations (yellow with a peach pink border).


Camellia hybrid 'Crimson Candles''

Camellia hybrid ‘Crimson Candles’ originated as a controlled cross between Camellia reticulata and Camellia fraterna. Its combination of excellent cold hardiness, disease resistance, and robust landscape performance make it unique.

Camellia Cultivar Registration Checklist

Follow these guidelines to prepare your cultivar registration application. It can be helpful to prepare the attachments before starting the online application at the link located at the bottom of the page.

Information about the plant is needed to complete the application.
1.   The plant must have bloomed at least four seasons and be unique.
2.   What type of camellia is it? (japonica, sasanqua, hybrid, reticulate, or other)
3.   Is it a controlled cross, chance seedling or a mutation?
4.   What is the bloom form? (single, semi-double, anemone, full peony, loose peony, rose form double and formal double)
5.   What is the bloom color? What is the bloom size?
6.   What is the growth habit of the plant?
7.   What is the leaf size color and serration?

Four photographs must accompany the application.
1.   Frontal view of the bloom.    Front View Sample Image
2.   Profile view of the bloom.    Profile View Sample Image
3.   Growth habit of the plant.      Plant View Sample Image
4.    Frontal view with ruler.        Front View With Ruler Sample Image

Applicant, originator, propagator and cultivar name information are required.
1.   The applicant's name and contact information.
2.   The propagator's name, city and state.
3.   The originator's name, city and state.
4.   Proposed cultivar name.
5.   The names of the two judges that are signing off on the cultivar.
6.   Written authorization is required from persons whose names are proposed for new cultivars.

How to Submit Your Application
1.   Fill out your application using the above information to complete it.
2.   Attach photos in the appropriate boxes.
3.   Press the submit button at the bottom of application. Please wait for the window to open for the shopping cart.
4.   Pay your $50.00 processing fee.

Camellia Nomenclature

The Camellia Nomenclature is published by the Southern California Camellia Society (SCCS) as the nomenclature publication. Supplement of new registrations and approved changes to the most recently published edition can also be on the Southern California Camellia Society Web site.