It’s been a stellar year for camellias – thanks to the absence of possums! I went three or more years without a bloom. They come at different times. This, my very first planted, comes first. It is well past its best now.
Bees flock around the flowers, which are the palest pink and so delicate! This was early June.
Whereas the one next to it, is just coming into its own now. in mid July
I debud them so that the flowers remain large. They are so prolific.
This plant is the one I’ve grown from seed from the first one above – you can see the similarity in both plant and flower – terrible picture; like its parent it is now past its best. But it had lots of flowers – for the first time.
Here is a photo of the flower taken back in early June. Beautiful. Lucky I am told as mostly plants grown straight from seeds are undistinguished.
And here’s a bud of this same camellia – with guest. Lady bird lady bird fly away home – no please don’t! I sometimes see these and I’ve had praying mantis and stick insects as well.
I’m still getting flowers on this camellia in mid August. I think they’re getting prettier.
Here is what is now my fourth camellia right outside the back door on the north side. It’s the last to fully flower and isn’t there yet.
The flowers are pretty and stay for a long time, but they discolour quickly.
I do love my camellias. I’m reminded of being with Steve Bracks when he was Premier and he was asked to name his favourite flower – the silly questions that are asked! But he was ready for it and said camellias because they flower in winter when there is not much else about. I love having mine back.
A few years ago we drove to Yamina Rare Plants in the Dandenong. I first went to this nursery with friends years ago and bought our Japanese maples and Chinese pistachio trees. We still have two maples – but no pistachio! Not that we ever got pistachio nuts. I’ve been back twice since then. Once with both Joe and my Mums and once with Joe. During which I bought some pieris japonica plants. They have thrived. This one is getting ready to flower.
And this variety – of which I have two – have already started.
And here is my third which will be the last to flower.
I also bought a plant called Enkianthus chinensis which has beautiful striped bell-shaped flowers. This thrived for a bit but was despatched by Frank when he remodelled our garden after our last renovations. I have mourned its passing ever since. So recently, during our lockdown before the present one, I ordered one by post. Here it is – just a stick in front of the magnolia stellata. But much bigger than my original. It doesn’t like frosts and we’ve had a few frosty mornings. Fingers crossed it takes off.
I also ordered two luculia plants; to fill new spaces in the garden where our big pot had been (given to Pauline and Ross) and where my very old Garden of St Erth hydrangea had been (now cut down). Luculias were one of Mums favourite plants and I’ve been looking for them in nurseries for ages without success. I bought two different varieties. I wanted Luculia gratisssima Fragrant Cloud which would have been white but they didn’t have it. This is gratissima is Pink Luculia.
And this is Luculia pinceana Pink Spice; meant to have gorgeously scented flowers. The gratissima variety is less fragrant. It will be interesting to compare when they are in flower.
I was also after a flowering currant bush (ribes sanguineum) – to remind me of Grandma Fitz’s Maldon garden. Unfortunately that didn’t eventuate – something for the future.
Leave a Reply