Camellias are the big pay off in winter in Tallahassee. They are beautiful, showy flowers on a bush which can get quite large--up to about 20' tall. Although they are native to Asia, they thrive in the acid soil in our area. We are lucky enough to have about 15 planted around our home.
I thought I would post one picture each week of February, of some of my favorites, along with a little tidbit of info--this is from Wikipedia:
The Japanese Camellia (C. japonica) is the state flower of Alabama as well as the city flower of Sacramento, California, Newberg, Oregon, Slidell, Louisiana, the Chinese municipality Chongqing and of Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It is also an emblematic flower of New Zealand. Camellia reticulata is the floral embem of Yunnan province.
Here's one of my favorite varieties, called "Pink Perfection" which I photographed from my neighbor's bush a few days ago, before we had hard freezes. The below freezing temperatures bruise the flowers with brown spots.
Comments (9)
Beautiful flower, Jan.
Posted by candi | February 5, 2009 7:12 PM
Posted on February 5, 2009 19:12
Jan that flower is perfection. Nothing can top nature and this photos proves it. Just breath taking.
Posted by Barb Cabot | February 5, 2009 9:21 PM
Posted on February 5, 2009 21:21
I grew up with gazillions of camillas in my childhood yard. I miss seeing them in the desert. Beautiful!
Posted by Palma | February 5, 2009 9:57 PM
Posted on February 5, 2009 21:57
WOW, 15 of them around your home? What a garden show that must be when they are in bloom!
Posted by Eden | February 6, 2009 1:57 AM
Posted on February 6, 2009 01:57
Just beautiful! Do they have a strong fragrance?
Posted by Cindy Ruth | February 6, 2009 3:05 AM
Posted on February 6, 2009 03:05
What a gorgeous photo! I saw a camellia bush in bloom this week here in NC but I bet it's now brown because we've had a brutally cold week too.
I didn't know they were native to Asia. Looking forward to seeing more of them.
Posted by Annie | February 6, 2009 9:44 AM
Posted on February 6, 2009 09:44
Love those beautiful camelias.
Love you.
Posted by Pat Mayer | February 6, 2009 3:41 PM
Posted on February 6, 2009 15:41
Oh, so pretty!
Posted by Amy | February 6, 2009 5:18 PM
Posted on February 6, 2009 17:18
Beautiful flower!
Posted by girasoli | February 7, 2009 9:22 PM
Posted on February 7, 2009 21:22