The most familiar and iconic of these winter-blooming shrubs are Camellia japonica, Asian natives that arrived in the United States around 1798. Despite their aura of Southern gentility, they were introduced in the chilly Northeast and became a status symbol among those who could afford greenhouses where they could be grown. Decades later these tender plants became popular in the milder South, where they could thrive outdoors in all their abundance and diversity.
Camellia flowers are universally adored for their gentle, regular form and their pure colors. ‘Otome’ (left) is a deeply venerated Japanese variety with porcelain-like flowers and delicate veining.
The Wild Orchid will be using camillias in flower arrangements this Mothers Day.
by them selves they are gorgeous and when added to other flowers just stunning