Johns Island Camellias

Johns Island Camellias, SC

 Blossoms from a stroll on Johns Island.

Historic Camellia Collection

Magnolia Gardens, Camellia Collection, Charleston, SC 

 For some reason I like doing the camellia garden walk after a cold spell. They are as beautiful as they die as they are in full bloom. Hope someone says that about me someday!

St. Francis of Magnolia Plantation

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, SC    

It is a crisp and cool day but perfect for a walk. The Horticultural Symposium was in progress at Magnolia Plantation this weekend and after exploring that I walked through the gardens. The azaleas and camellias made a colorful show.

St. Francis has always been tucked away in a peaceful spot but the little structure behind him is new and caught my eye.

Faded Glory

Camellia Garden, Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, S.C.

Slept in, walked in the drizzle at Magnolia Plantation, caught an afternoon movie on the way home and then an early bite to eat at the Green Goat with my son. If this first day of the year sets the standard I will be quite pleased with 2014.

I walked through the Camellia garden and found myself, as I often do, pointing my camera at my feet as much as the sky.

Back to real life tomorrow, kids. Yikes!

Lowcountry carpet & weekend endings

Lowcountry Carpeting, Charleston, S.C.

I want a carpet that looks like this. I often like camellia blossoms rotting on the ground as much as I do blooming on the branch although they aren't bad this year either, are they?

For a lovely show of blossoms visit Tidewater Gardener: Bloom Day. 

 

If the first picture is to be my carpet how about this for my wallpaper? This pink fungus was on a tree at Magnolia Plantation Garden.

Tree bark fungus, Charleston, S.C.

My company has gone and my little ranch house is quiet again. I took them for a last walk on Folly Beach before they left and here is my Dad looking like a proper lowcountry gentleman before he left. We enjoyed a hot bowl of she crab soup at Locklear's on the Folly Beach pier.  I had a quick escape this weekend and will get back to reality in the morning. I can't even imagine all that is waiting for me to deal with. I will report to work with my seat belt fastened!

Oh, oh.....this is late but some of my "heart" pictures are featured on Charleston Magazine's Charleston Grit page. Vote for your favorite at: Charlestongrit.com

Fading Beauties

Camellia, Moncks Corner, S.C.

Camellias are a winter gift to the south. We are so used to living in a colorful garden that they keep us from suffering too much in the winter. These are white camellias that took a chill with the cold last week. Now it's warm again and the puddle of petals on the ground is as beautiful as the blossom. 

Here is a fun essay on Camellia names.

If the Bloom Is Off the Rose for You
Camellias, native to Asia, have become fixtures in the West ever since their introduction in the 1700s. Their leaves are dried to make traditional green or black tea, and many gardeners plant them for their showy winter blooms, which have a wide range of colors. Camellias thrive in temperate regions, but there are now also cold-hardy varieties that have expanded the growing range as far north as Canada.


There are countless species in the genus camellia, but these three species (or hybrids of them) are the most common:
JAPONICA The most common ornamental species, it has large showy blooms, like a cabbage rose or a peony. The flowers fall off like a wilted pompon when spent, rather than shedding their petals one at a time.
SASANQUA Another ornamental, but its blooms look more like an antique rose with fewer petals than C. japonica and a prominent yellow stamen. The petals fall to the ground singly.   SINENSIS Also known as the tea plant, this species is the source of traditional black, green, oolong and white teas. It is squat and has small, fragrant white flowers.