RE: Camelia

Carol's suggestion to visit Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles is a good one. They have acres of mature camellias, as the garden was planted long ago to sell camellias as cutflowers. They have just recently planted a lot of species camellias. They won't all be blooming yet, as they are young plants, but some have interesting leaves.

Also near Los Angeles: Nuccio Nursery which has many different kinds of camellias, including many species.

I like single camellias with a big cluster of yellow stamens in the centre. One I have is spectacular for several months: Tama Electra, one of a number of seedlings of Tama No Ura which the Nuccios have introduced. It is fast-growing, upright, with single red flowers rimmed white. It continues flowering during the flowering periods of three rhododendrons which don't overlap their bloom times. This year I plan to keep track so I know how long it flowers.

It would be a good idea for you to tell us where you live, Tim, so people can give you more specific advice.

--
Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
maritime zone 8
cool mediterranean climate (dry summer, rainy winter - 68 cm annually)
sandy soil

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