Camellias and a Magnolia

The plants on this page are located in the patio, and are some of the first plantings in the Garden. The patio is pretty much unchanged since it was first planted in 1959.
C. japonica "C.W. Wilson"

Click on the photos to see a larger image Blooming during the winter months, this camellia has lovely pale pink blossoms over most of the plant. It also has graced us with a sport of deep rose blooms, on the same plant. (A sport is a branch that has different characteristics from the rest of the plant. Camellias sport readily. In fact, "C.M. Wilson" originates from a sport of another camellia called "Elegans.") Camellias can live for centuries! In their 40s, these camellias are youngsters. Camellias are in the family Theacea, the tea family. The tea we drink is made from the leaves of C. sinensis. For more information on Camellias, visit the American Camellia Society web site.

C. reticulata "Dr. Polizzi"

Click on the photos to see a larger image

Also in bloom is the rare Dr. Polizzi camellia, a delicate flower on an elegant plant. This was one of the very first plants that Hortense acquired when she began her Boat Canyon garden. It is Hortense's favorite camellia, so we were delighted that a cutting grafted onto a more common Camellia rootstock was successful and is a new addition to the garden.

In addition to these winter bloomers, the Garden also has a C. hiemalis, which blooms in the fall.

Michelia doltsopa

Click on the photos to see a larger image

This tree with the magnolia-like flowers is in the family Magnoliaceae, a cousin to the magnolia trees native to the southern USA. But this genus originates in the eastern Himalayas, Tibet, and western China. It has leathery leaves, furry buds and creamy white blossoms that are gorgeous and quite fragrant. It is also the most expensive specimen in the garden!

What's Blooming?

Two Camellias and a Magnolia

C. japonica "C.W. Wilson"

C. reticulata "Dr. Polizzi"

Michelia doltsopa