Years ago, when we lived in the Boston area, I visited The Lyman Estates. Here I first saw camellias. They were growing in a greenhouse devoted exclusively to them.
It was on that cold February day my love of Camellias was born. This love has been nurtured and encouraged by my dear friend Margaret Moseley whom I met years later when I moved to Georgia.
Most of the Camellias I planted were recommended by Margaret. She never gave me a list, rather it was a running commentary on what was blooming in her garden …
“If you ever come across ‘ White Empress’ buy every one they have”
“Cotton Candy’ is blooming, prettiest thing you ever saw”
“Oh my, ‘Professor Sargent’ must have a hundred blooms on it today!”
I followed her advice. Below is a sample of the camellias blooming in my garden today.
How lucky I am to know Margaret.
As a garden designer I incorporate camellias as an evergreen where conditions allow. They make a beautiful, glossy, dark green, hedge with the added bonus of fall/winter flowers.
The temperature here in Georgia is an unseasonable 76° F. I should not complain about this (coming from Canada), however all the buds on the spring bloomers are swelling and the cold, that is sure to come, will inevitably kill them.
In a ‘normal’ year the Japanese Flowering Apricot (Prunusmume) above, starts to bloom sporadically mid to end of January. This year on the 15th, it is almost done, its petals adorning the ground.
The Helleborus, commonly called Lenten Roses, should peak, you guessed it, at Lent. Not this year,(below)
I’ll not whine any longer. The camellias are putting on a spectacular show…
and Margaret Moseley’s favorite, ‘Fragrant Pink’ is perfuming the air with its rose-like fragrance.
This is also the earliest I have ever seen Edgeworthia crysantha open.
All in all this is going to be a very interesting gardening year.
It is never too late to wish you all a wonderful healthy & joyous New Year.
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