Since it has been a lot of mid-indoor-home-renovations on the blog without many ‘after’ photos, I’d thought I’d take a breather and blog about pretty flowers.
My mom and I visited Massee Lane Gardens – which is the headquarters for the American Camellia Society – in Ft. Valley, GA (which is near Macon) on January 30th. We attended a lecture, wonderful workshops, and also toured the gardens. I only recently found out that the society’s headquarters was so close to Atlanta and that they would be giving the workshop, so we planned on attending. My grandparents grew camellias in Florida and my mother grew varieties in her yard that they brought up to Georgia for her. They are something that I grew up with and knew that my family treasured.
Winter is the time for Camellias to bloom, but this year they are a bit ahead of schedule due to the unusual warm weather we’ve been having. I loved how all of the camellias were labeled at the garden- something some botanical gardens don’t always do.
Here are a few eye-catching blooms at the gardens:
Camellia Hybrid ‘Cile Mitchell’:
Camellia Hybrid ‘Julia’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Chris Bergamini’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Royal Velvet’:
Camellia Hybrid ‘Sweet Jane’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Laura Walker’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Elain’s Betty’:
Leaf variegation on Camellia Reticulata ‘Cameron Cooper’:
As a quick, basic rundown of facts that I learned
(though, do double check my information, I am far from an expert):
– Common Species are: Sasanqua, Japonica, Reticulata, & hybrids
– Common colors are: red, pink, white, red variegated, & pink variegated
– More rare colors are: purple & yellow
– Bloom forms are: single, semi-double, anemone, peony, formal, & double
– Blooming seasons are: “Early” (prior to January 1st), “Mid” (January 1st – end of February), and “Late” (after March)
– Varigation comes from either a genetic variegation (less than 1%) or it is induced from a virus. Types are: blotched, moire, or both and can occur on the bloom or leaf. Not all flowers on the same plant may be variegated.
In general, Sasanquas bloom in the fall, have fragrance, & have a small bloom. Japonicas bloom later and have a larger bloom than Sasanqua, they also have no fragrance. Reticulatas are not as cold hardy as the Japonicas but have larger blooms.
Camellia Reticulata ‘Frank Houser’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Nina Avery’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Professor Sargent’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Miss Bessie Beville’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Yours Truly’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Tammia’:
Camellia Hybrid ‘Julia’:
The varieties in the green house are in a bit warmer environment:
Camellia Reticulata ‘Valley Knudsen’:
Camellia Reticulata ‘Arcadia Var.’:
A rare yellow camellia from Vietnam with a small bloom and leaves that resemble something more like a rhododendron…
Camellia ‘Nitidissima’:
Camellia ‘Nitidissima’ leaf:
As a side note, Camellia Japonica ‘Dahlonega’ is the only yellow blooming camellia that we can currently grow in Georgia.
Camellia Japonica ‘Harriet Bisbee’:
Camellia Reticulata ‘Valentine Day Var.’:
Camellia ‘???’:
Camellia Japonica ‘Vashti’: