The Polar Ice Camellia is a moderately fast-growing evergreen shrub that has been bred for its superior cold-hardiness and striking white flowers. Mass in mixed shrub borders for great winter color. Grows well in containers and looks natural in a woodland garden. Like most Camellias, this plant needs consistently moist, well-drained, acidic soil with high organic matter. Provide a sheltered site as flower and leaf buds may experience damage by cold winter winds. Early morning and direct afternoon sun can be too harsh so plant in partial shade and be aware that an area too heavily shaded can limit flowering. The size and shape of the plant can be controlled and overall health improved by pruning the branches after flowering. This showy plant is great for cut flowers and is mildly resistant to damage by deer. 'Polar Ice' is an anemone form Camellia that is an Ackerman hybrid ( learn more about the Winter Group camellias ) cross between Camellia oleifera 'Plain Jane' (cold hardiness) and Camellia ' Frost Princess' (flower form). Insect and Disease Problems: Camellias are susceptible to viruses and some fungal diseases such as dieback, cankers, flower blight, and root rot. Watch for scales, aphids, planthoppers, and spider mites. They are especially problematic on stressed plants. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common camellia diseases and insect pests. More information on Camellia Winter Group .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCamellia 'Snow Flurry'Camellia Winter GroupCamellia 'Winter' s Hope'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Obovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Good Cut; Long-lasting
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate, simple, leathery, glossy dark green with crenate to moderately serrate margins
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
3-3.5 inch, fragrant snow white anemone-form flowers with 12 large petals surrounding a convex mass of smaller petals and golden yellow stamens. Blooms for six weeks fall into winter October to December. Petals are shed individually after bloom so there is no need for deadheading
Bloom time
Fall; Winter
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Insignificant small woody capsule
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Smooth sandy brown bark
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
U.S. National Arboretum’s Breeding Program
Play value
Attractive Flowers
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Recreational Play Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; Garden for the Blind; Winter Garden