Growing Camellia sinensis (Black Tea)in Atlanta’s Zone 7

By: Joe Frankie

In the backyard of a cozy home near Cumming, Georgia, the late-autumn sunlight gently filters onto a row of glossy, evergreen shrubs—Camellia sinensis, the tea plant. Each spring, they burst forth with delicate white blossoms, and come late winter, they stand unbowed by freezing temperatures. This is not some distant exotic—but a tea bush thriving right here in Zone 7. And soon—spring of 2026—your garden can too, as we’ll be offering 1‑gallon containers of Camellia sinensis for $15 each.

Let me guide you through a year with this plant—how to introduce it to your garden, nurture it, harvest its leaves, and steep them into a fragrant cup of true black tea. And, just as importantly, how it also elevates your garden as a beautiful, functional, and even spicy addition.

1. Planting & Placement

Ideal Location - In Zone 7, select a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade—perhaps along a north‑ or east‑facing fence or patio wall. Reflective heat from surfaces helps mitigate cooler spring temperatures. Ensure shelter from harsh winter winds but avoid deep shade—Camellia sinensis thrives best in 4–6 hours of gentle sunlight.

Soil & Planting - These shrubs desire slightly acidic, well-drained soil—pH 4.8–6.0—enriched with organic matter. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, level it with the surrounding soil, and backfill using your native earth blended with compost. Mulch around the base in fall to protect roots from frost.

Spacing & Containers - For a solitary specimen, allow 5 ft breadth and up to 15 ft height—though you’ll prune it smaller. For hedging or tea production, plant 2–3 ft apart. Container-grown 1-gallon plants are perfect for patios or small spaces, easily selling as potted greenery and can be beautified in beds later.

2. Care Throughout the Seasons

Watering - Tea thrives under consistent moisture initially until established. In the first two years, irrigate thoroughly 2–3 times weekly in dry spells to keep the root zone evenly damp. Once well rooted in, water as needed, especially during summer droughts.

Fertilizing - In early spring, feed with acidic fertilizer, such as azalea/camellia formula or add soil sulfur chips twice annually in March and September. A biannual foliar spray of Epsom salts (1 tbsp per gallon water) supplies essential magnesium.

Pruning - Trim the uppermost stems 3–4 times from early spring through summer to encourage a dense canopy of new shoots — those tender new leaves are tea’s gold. Limit height to a manageable 3–5 ft for easier harvesting.

Winter Protection - Although hardy to around 0 °F, protect young plants from extreme cold. Use frost cloth or windbreaks, and mulch heavily in late fall. Container plants may be sheltered indoors or brought near a wall for radiant warmth.

3. Harvesting, Preserving & Processing

Harvesting - Begin in early spring with the first flush—hand-pick the top two leaves plus bud along new growth. Successional plucks every 2–3 weeks keep the plant productive, with the best harvests occurring before prolific flowering.

Processing into Black Tea

1. Wither the fresh leaves for 4–12 hours to reduce moisture.

2. Roll or crush by hand to bruise leaf cells, initiating oxidation.

3. Oxidize in a humid 70–85 °F setting for 2–4 hours (max 6), watching color transition.

4. Dry in a low oven (around 200 °F) or dehydrator until completely crisp.

5. Cool & store in airtight, opaque containers.

   
   

You can also craft green tea (skip oxidation) or white tea (just lightly withered), and even oolong by limiting oxidation. It's the processing method—not just the subspecies—that defines the tea's character.

PreservationStore your finished tea in a cool, dark, hermetic jar. It stays fresh for several months or freeze for longer life. Re-brew with fresh water—your garden’s flavor in a cup.

4. Decorative & Functional Benefits

Ornamental AppealYear-round glossy foliage and delicate white blossoms graced with yellow stamens add elegance. Each bloom attracts early pollinators, enhancing your garden ecosystem. Pruned hedges make beautiful privacy borders.

Wildlife & Companion GardeningFlowers draw bees, and habitats under the bush shelter beneficial insects. Pair Camellia with azaleas, ferns, and shade-loving perennials for a lush woodland aesthetic.

Culinary Spice UseFresh leaves offer more than aromatic tea—they can be powdered and used as a savory seasoning in rubs, rice dishes, or herbal blends. Their umami and tannic complexity bring true garden-to-table depth. You now hold a true spice shrub adapted to our warm, humid Atlanta climate.

5. Tea Varieties You Can Craft

• Black Tea – fully oxidized for robust flavor, brisk and fragrant.

• Green Tea – steamed or pan-fired, delicate and vegetal.

• White Tea – minimal processing, light, sweet, aromatic.

• Oolong – partially oxidized for rich, nuanced character.

• Blended & Herbal Tea – mix with your garden staples: mint, basil, lemon balm.

• Iced Tea & Cold Brew – steep fresh tea cold over hours for a smooth infusion.

• Spicy Blends – use tea leaves as a base in blends with ginger, rosemary, thyme, or sage.

6. Why You’ll Want One for Spring 2026

• $15 for a one-gallon container – an unbeatable entry price.

• A living, evergreen, winter-blooming accent that also makes your morning brew.

• Completely hardy in Atlanta area, backed by best practices from successful Zone 7 gardens.

• Versatile uses: tea production, ornamental beauty, seasoning plant, and pollinator magnet.

• Therapeutic ritual—from pruning, harvesting, rolling leaves, to brewing tea.

7. Yearly Care Calendar for Zone 7

Season	Care Highlights
Spring	Feed, prune, begin first flush. Harvest top two leaves + bud.
Summer	Water, fertilize lightly, harvest successional flushes. Watch for pests.
Fall	Apply compost mulch, feed lightly, protect from early freezes.
Winter	Shelter if needed, prune minimally, monitor moisture in containers.

Final Thoughts

Imagine this: a brisk spring morning, you step into your garden, gently pinch off a fresh bud and leaf of your Camellia sinensis, bring it indoors, roll it with your fingers, and within hours, pour yourself a warm cup of black tea grown literally at your back door. Add to this the sight of evergreen foliage through winter, fragrant blooms in fall, a buzzing pollinator haven, and you see it’s not just a plant, it’s a living experience.

At $15 in a 1‑gallon container, available in Spring 2026, this is your chance to bring elegance, flavor, and functionality to your Atlanta-area garden. Whether you're a tea lover, home cook, or gardener seeking a unique evergreen with heaps of character, Tea is a perfect choice. Reserve yours, and let’s grow tea together.

🛎️ Drop us a line at info@chestateefarms.com if you’d like to pre-order or reserve your Camellia sinensis today, your very own tea journey starts in Spring 2026.