I am glad I made it home in time to see the Professor Sargent Camellia japonica in full bloom.
These flowers have an unusual bouquet quality due to the two-tiered arrangement of petals.
The difference in petal length is most pronounced as the blooms first open.
FLOW
All I need is a tiny reminder of what is to come. These little signs of spring get me through the dark, short days. My Professor Sargeant Camellia japonica has sent out one perfect bloom from all of its hundreds of buds.
On this shortest day of the year, I am grateful for this one bright, red reminder of the beauty to come.
That’s all I need is a little faith in sunshine and spring. We have made it to the solstiice gardeners. It gets brighter from here.
Happy Holidays
FLOWER
The blooms always stop me. I have to pause by each shrub. I must touch a flower.
White By the Gate is blooming for the third time since February.
Professor Sargent’s blooms are too heavy for its limbs.
Each looks like it belongs on a lapel, perfectly round and tight with petals. Just add a pin.
Perfectly formed. Too pretty to pick.
I will take some to my mama if the freeze does not burn them brown.
How could something so beautiful just appear here? All I did was plant a twig.
If you are a gardener, you understand my amazement.
Miracles appear each day in spring.
Bringing me back to life.
Hold on folks. Spring is sneaking your way. HOORAY!
Flow
It is hard work protecting my precious plants from the local deer herd.
I have to be diligent. If I wait, it is too late.
This week I noticed the front of my ‘Professor Sargent’ Camellia japonica was missing.
Yes. the entire front of an evergreen shrub had been eaten overnight.
Good thing I keep a selection of posts and fencing handy.
Now Professor Sargent’s front and flowers will be safe.
I circled the yard to check on ‘White by the Gate.’
It was safe and blooming inside its year-round fencing.
Edgworthia also has its own enclosure.
I am not sure if the flowers would get eaten, but the leaves were nibbled on last fall.
I guess I will start enclosing my daylilies as they sprout.
No point in growing snacks for the local wildlife!
Flow
floweralley 