Camellias

I used to live in Kentucky where the winters were bleak and frequently icy. Nothing bloomed during the coldest weeks. Upon moving to Florida, I found there were three Camellias planted by the house. After seeing them bloom, I added several more.

I have two "tribes" of Camellias. The two Sasanqua Camellias I have start blooming in late October and bloom into December. The Japonica Camellias start blooming about the time the Sasanquas are finishing. The Japonica Camellias bloom into early spring.

This year, the Japonica Camellias were disrupted by some brutal [by Florida standards] cold snaps, but have since started blooming again. Tonight we freeze again darnit. The blooms shown above are all Japonica Camellias.

Thinking Spring

Also in early spring comes "Cracker Days" at Rainbow Springs State Park. This year, it is February 21- 22. They try to time it the weekend closest to peak bloom for the Azaleas and Camellias. After the severe freezes, nothing is currently in bloom but there is still time for things to bloom out some.

There are a variety of events at "Cracker Days" including a native plant sale, historical speeches and displays.

I hope that a large font may be easier to read. It looks like that cold wave is finally behind us, but I am not sure winter is done with us yet. But, the native Chickasaw Plums are starting to bloom. I am including a photo of some of the flowers of this species taken Sunday, February 8.

Freeze Damaged Plants

Shown are a couple of freeze damaged plants. These are African Irises and a Coontie. The African Irises look like they may be totally destroyed, and the Coontie is harmed but I am not sure how badly. What are the chances of survival of these plants?

The Big Freeze

This is my first attempt at having a blog, although I am on some Daylily mailing groups. Our fall started early, but then we had a big warm spell during the Christmas and New Years holidays. But, recently, we have had the big freeze, making almost feel like I was back in Kentucky where I used to live. Shown to the right is a poor Mourning Dove trying to get a drink from a birdbath that was frozen solid.

The Daylilies and Crinums were growing like it was spring, but they now look totally frozen. The Sasanqua Camellias had finished blooming, and the Japonica Camellias were coming into bloom when we got the big freeze. Shown to the left is part of the garden in the back of the house, showing frozen Daylily plants and a very cold Camellia. I guess most of you all don't know this weather can happen in Florida...