Camellia

Theaceae

At the end of May 2001 I ran up to Lowe's to see what was new and found a lovely Shishi-Gashira (C. Hiemalis). According to The Southern Living Garden Book, “Shishi-Gashira is one of the most useful and ornamental shrubs. Low growing with arching branches that in time pile up tier on tier to make compact, dark green, glossy-leafed plants. Leaves rather small for camellia, giving medium-fine foliage texture.” They also say that this plant is a heavy bloomer from October to March.

I can definitely see that it's going to bloom for some time because it is covered with flower buds. Their description of the shrub is also exactly like mine. I have it in a spot where it will get some sun and shade in the afternoon. The tag that came with the plant shows a pink flower, so I'm assuming that's what I'll have. But this variety can also will be found with red, white or bicolor blooms.

Fall 2001: I've moved this plant to the east side of the house where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade. I've got giant liriope and hydrangea shrubs.

Spring 2002: Bought a Pink Parade camellia (C. japonica) at Luka's Nursery in Oviedo, FL. It has gorgeous, clear pink blooms that remind me of the peony bushes I could grow in South Dakota. The flowers are a marvelous contrast to the glossy, dark green evergreen foliage and should be blooming freely from December to February. This camellia is also on the east side of the house so it will get shade all afternoon. This camellia will be larger than the Shishi-Gashira.

The camellia is the product of centuries of cultivation in China and was named by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). He is often referred to as the Father of Taxonomy because he devised a system to name, rank and classify organisms that is still used today, although it has gone through many changes. The first camellia was sent to England by James Cunningham. Unfortunately, the gentleman he sent it to, Lord Petre, put it in his greenhouse where it was too hot and the plant died. Fortunately, his gardener, James Gordon, had taken cuttings of the plant and they survived. Camellias came to America in the late 18th century. (“Flowers and How They Got Their Names” Diana Wells)

In the language of flowers, the camellia represents ‘unpretending excellence’ or ‘perfected loveliness.’