My LOVELY camellia is BLOOMING!

[elleng]

Last edited Tue Dec 29, 2015, 04:28 PM - Edit history (1)

But I AM concerned, there are LOTS of buds nowhere near opening, and it's DECEMBER 29! I hope this doesn't mean some sort of handicap for the bush in the future, but will take advantage of it while I have it. It's around 55 here (southern MD) now, and the low in the 10-day forecast is 44 for next Monday.

I just reread my earlier post about the effect of this weird weather, so am not too concerned for the long future, and will stay here and enjoy it while it happens.

[alfie]

1. Gorgeous!

One of my favorite flowers.

[japple]

2. Gorgeous! I love to bring them inside and place them in a shallow dish

of water. The blossoms are so delicate and perfect.

[elleng]

3. Yes they are!

Thanks for the idea; will try it, especially if/when the weather deteriorates.

[Brainstormy]

4. Not something to celebrate

actually a bad sign of how acute the climate crisis actually is. They are beautiful, tho.

BTW, it's been in the high sixties and seventies in Atlanta this week.

[elleng]

5. Right, not exactly 'celebrating,'

but enjoying looking at them.

Mid-50s in southern MD.

[Brainstormy]

6. I started looking around yesterday

after reading your post. I see them blooming everywhere in Georgia. Also noted that my (presumed dead) potted annuals on my deck--which I ordinarily would have trashed by now but we've had lots of rains--have put out new growth at the roots. Crazy.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. I read that flowering plants will not be harmed - but will not bloom

in spring. In other words - will only bloom once per season. We've got forsythia we won't see this spring. BOO

[elleng]

8. I HOPE that's not true for the camellia,

still lots of unopened buds. Forsythia in full bloom now!

Haven't seen any effect on peonies, will check again but fingers crossed. That would REALLY mess up spring!

[elleng]

9. I posted this, from an expert, before I noticed my camellia:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11596492

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. thanks. Guess it must be debatable among the experts.

Can't site my source, sorry, but the article I read said that nothing will bloom twice and the only plants that have a chance are bulbs which have only sprouted a bit.

Let's hope they are wrong...would hate a spring with no flowers.

[greymouse]

11. which one?

That is so lovely, Ellen; do you know which camellia it is?

[elleng]

12. No, mouse, didn't know there was a choice!

Moved here 2 1/2 years ago, and was DELIGHTED to see it bloom my first spring here.

[NutmegYankee]

13. I'm seeing vegetation starting to pop up in February!

The grass is turning green again and the daffodils are popping up. This is New England!

[elleng]

14. Excellent!

I discovered Friday I have a patch of croci! Had seen singles last year, but nothing like this! Can't get a good pic of the entire area, but it's quite large.

[NutmegYankee]

15. I wonder how they got there.

They aren't native to North America.

[elleng]

16. Right, I read that.

Mentioned them to my landlord today, he's quite familiar with them. This property's been in his family for 60+ years, so they may have scattered some seeds, and then let them proliferate.

[NutmegYankee]

17. The first spring after I bought my house, I spotted a flower very early

It was a Glory of the Snow.

I've always enjoyed flowers. I grow a large vegetable garden, but also have large perennial beds. Like these:

[elleng]

18. Great!

You're much more adventurous in this realm than I am, but luckily my landlord and his family has done all the hard work over the years.

[JDPriestly]

19. Beautiful.

[elleng]

20. Yes, they WERE!

I'm concerned none will open at their regular SPRING-time!

[JDPriestly]

21. Welcome to California. (Weather-wise anyway.)

The camelias bloom in February here.

It's climate change.

It's been such a warm winter so far that I am dreading the summer.