Plantidote of the Day 2011-03-14

Camellia japonica or reticulata or ?

Camellia

Just about the only thing I can tell you about this camellia is that it's in bloom now in Zone 10. Since there are more than 3,000 different kinds of camellias, the closest thing we have to an identification is a good guess, unless we get lucky and an expert weighs in.

One of the nicest things about camellias in general is that many of them love growing in the shade, bringing color to areas where other flowers won't grow. They can be prolific bloomers, making for very showy displays in late winter or early spring -- just when we need it most! (If you're wondering why the flower is surrounded by azalea foliage, it's because I picked the camellia and set it in amongst the azalea leaves to shoot it. Isn't it nice to know you're not seeing things?)

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Readers, please send twig (twig4now@gmail.com) images and stories for the ongoing Plantidote of the Day series. In exchange, you'll win undying fame in the form of a hat tip! Plants growing in your garden, your house, or neighbor's yard, plants from the forest or farmers' market, plants you preserved, plants you prepared (wine; cider; tea; dried beans), plants you harvested (grains; chanterelles), plants you picked (flowers), plants you dried (herbs), plants you covet or hope to grow someday. Herbal remedies, propagation tips, new varieties, etc.. And if you can, include some solid detail about the plant, too -- a story, the genus and species, or where you got the seeds, or the recipe, or your grandmother gave it to you. Or challenge us with a "Name That Plant" mystery entry ... And please feel free to add corrections and additional information in the comments.

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