LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

This Year They Made It



Almost all our plants are native to the area.  There are several reasons for that.  The obvious one is that native plants are more likely to thrive with less intensive care.  Another is that we want to maintain a natural look to our yards.

We made an exception for one of my very favorite plants.  I love camellias.  We planted two of them knowing full well that we are on the border of their preferred regions.  Both plants have done well, despite the occasional pruning by the deer.  (BTW:  Deer do not know they don't eat certain plants.  Sometimes they come in large numbers.  One deer will take a bite and decide the plant is not good.  But do they communicate that to the other deer?  NO...every single deer has to take a bite as well.  Six deer can do a lot of damage to a plant they don't really like.)

The camellias have beautiful green foliage and that should be enough.  But occasionally there is more.  Every year, the camellias are loaded with huge buds promising beautiful blossoms to come.  And almost every year the weather decides otherwise.  Too often we see the lovely buds turn brown and fall off.  We know that is always possible...in fact likely.  Yet we remain hopeful that this may be the year.

Well, this is in fact the year.  The camellias, so filled with promising buds are now in glorious bloom.





















I stop every time I pull into the driveway and admire the camellias.  What a wonderful bonus.  One of my favorite plants tells me spring is definitely here.  Oh, I know I will have to pull out the sweatshirts again.  I'll have to close the windows and turn on the heat again.  I know the weather we are enjoying is quite unseasonable.  But you know what?  I'm going to enjoy every single blessed day.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here at the beach I have one in glorious bloom and it's that same fabulous pink! It's been rather lackluster before, but this year it's so pretty that I want more. Do you know the name of it?

So glad yours is showing off. I remember seeing one in a Minnesota atrium and suddenly becoming very homesick.

Rudee said...

It's a beautiful plant. Though I see some green popping through the earth here, I haven't seen much. Heck, the snow just melted in time for another bout with winter. The trees, however, are laden with buds.

I just wish the weather would check the calendar before deciding what it will do.

The Bug said...

Oh how gorgeous! I love those & peonies - if I could have a yardful of each I'd be totally happy.

Elora said...

Me, too! And I love those camellias! My mom had them in our yard when I was small up around Puget Sound. They were a welcome pink against the sometimes rainy backdrop!

Elora

abb said...

Gorgeous! One plant we can't grow outside in CT, unfortunately.

animal lover, quilt lover said...

This year has been a wonderful year for my Camellias too!! I love them so much I have over 20 planted!! I love them so too!!
We use to give Bambi Olive oil too but she started getting lumps on her belly and when we chanced to coconut oil the lumps went away. Google coconut oil and see what they say about it, I did.

kks said...

so beautiful!
winter is back here in wisconsin too....
xoxo

Barb said...

What delicate pink beauties! I'd be admiring them, too.

100 Thoughts of Love said...

ahhh...those are really beautiful!

George said...

Congratulations on your beautiful camellias. Those glorious blossoms are worth the aggravations of growing the plants in your area. Enjoy each and every blossom.
(I hate to tell you this, but cooler weather is on the way -- it will get here overnight.)

Lola said...

I have a camellia that is about to wind down with the blooming. It too is that lovely pink. I got it in Ga. several yrs. ago. I was given several but only 1 made it.

Karin said...

Oh, wow, that is one gorgeous plant! Thanks for sharing it with us!

troutbirder said...

I guess I don't know this plant very well. Probably doesn't like -29 degrees...

Anonymous said...

We have one camellia that made it through our snow and ice storms. It always surprises me how early in the season they bud and bloom. Quite a treat for the winter weary to see those colorful blossoms.

Toni aka irishlas said...

Beautiful!

Vicki Lane said...

Oh my goodness! You tempt me to try one in a warm corner.

Ruth said...

Wow! Beautiful blooms. Spring came so quickly to you.