The Camellia, Our Winter's Grace
I couldn't believe my eyes. It was early February in South Lousiana and I was looking at a flowering bush of what looked like perfect roses.
I had just been introduced to the Southern Camellia.
A Northern bride, here to stay, I rejoiced at the idea of a flower, and such a gorgeous one, blooming in Winter. To me, snow is the Northern Winter's grace, and Camellias are its Southern counter-part.
So, when we built our house, I made sure to plant Camellias. As luck would have it, one of our neighbors heads the Local Camellia Society so we had valuable input and a few gifted bushes.
This year, the profusion of Camellias was astounding. So I rushed to paint as many as I could. So glad I did as, in early February, we were hit with an Artic blast that sheathed every bloom in an icy glaze.
Here's "Smoky Red Camellia", one of my favorites for its deep crimson perfection with bluish petal tips.
