Kramer's Supreme

After long absence, I'm back with fresh blooms from around the yard.  The first entry of the year is this beautiful camellia, Kramer's Supreme.

At this time of year, the camellias are at peak beauty.  I love their shiny, evergreen leaves and glorious blooms.  They are slow growers and take some years to reach large shrub status.  This Kramer's Supreme has been planted in my yard for three years and is still quite small, but it surely packs a dynamite punch for its size. 

The blooms are a deep, rich red that really stands out at this time of year before we have much color.  They are quite full in form and resemble roses before opening fully.

As the blooms open more, you can see the bright yellow stamens some.  At times I can even smell a slight, sweet fragrance on this camellia. 

If you want camellias, plant them in a part shade location with rich, acid soil.  I commonly use leaves as mulch around mine and this adds the nutrients they desire.  Pine needles are an ideal mulch for them as well.  They don't take cold very well, so I wouldn't risk them in areas colder than zone 7b unless you really have a sheltered spot.  If you are in their area, there's absolutely no excuse for you not having at least one of these lovely shrubs.  What else looks so luscious at this time of year?

Professor Charles Sargent Camellia

My Professor Charles Sargent camellia japonica finally started opening its buds today.  They are beautiful.  Not only that, but this is one camellia that actually has some fragrance to it.  Another very common camellia in the South, and justifiably so.  Have you ever seen a more perfect red? 

This is one of the buds just starting to come out. 

This is a picture where you can see more of the plant.  Notice the shiny, dark green leaves and how they contrast so well with the bright red of the flower.  I need this plant to brighten up this gloomy winter day.

Kramer's Supreme Camellia

The camellias are starting to bloom well around here and I'm loving it.  This is a Kramer's Supreme camellia japonica.  It's a very common variety that really thrives in the South and is a welcome delight at this time of year.  The plant is evergreen with shiny leaves that resemble those of a magnolia.  It's not a fast grower, so be patient.  However, it is a very long-lived shrub that will give you a lifetime of joy.  Most camellias don't have a fragrance and this one is no exception, but that doesn't detract from its beauty.  If you want camellias that bloom in late fall/early winter, then you need to plant camellia sasanquas instead of camellia japonicas. Give any of them acidic, moist soil in a partial shade location and they will thrive.     

Back Home Again and Blogging

I've been gone for over 6 weeks either visiting relatives up North or working in the Gulf.  After all the hard freezes there is not much green left in my yard.  My tropicals are decimated and my other plants are dormant.  This time of year not much is pretty.  That being said, my camellia japonica plants are waiting around for the perfect time to let loose with their gorgeous blooms.  This is Professor Charles Sargent, a deep red camellia that I love.  It's an old favorite that can be found all over the South.  Put it in partial shade, provide plenty of mulch and water, wait a while, and it will reward you wonderfully.  Camellias like acidic soil and grow in about the same conditions that azaleas do.  They are brightest and best when nearly all other flowers are dormant. 

Some blooms from February

This camellia bloom was from earlier in the year. I've got 3 camellia shrubs. They bloom when not much else is going. This one is a Kramer's Supreme camellia japonica.

Here are some toadflax (spurred snapdragon) flowers from my "wildflower" bed. They are great - just throw seeds down on the ground and they are blooming in a short while.