Tea Breeze Commercial Tea. This is the plant from which commercial tea is made, and it is one of the most cold hardy species of the genus Camellia. It is a fall bloomer, producing a myriad of 2" white flowers for the full length of the current seasons growth on a shrub which is as broad as high, 4-6'. It grows best in full to part sun. Through history all commercial tea production has been in the state of South Carolina. There are presently two commercial tea plantations in the state producing tea for commerce at the present time. Domestic tea is so much smoother than that which is imported, but the British don't care as much for our tea because it lacks the familiar bitter taste which comes from tea taking so long to get to market. The first picture is of the Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island, just south of Charleston.
Zones 6-9