Pardon our silence, but Jaithan and I have been happily out and about in Southern California, lapping up the sun more than our computer screens. At the moment, we're in San Diego, where at last weekend's Home & Garden Show in Del Mar, everything turned up camellias.
With glossy green leaves and large, conspicuous blooms, camellias have an exotic sort of beauty, as though the gifted offspring of a peony and a begonia. They're a durable shrub, growing well in dappled shade with blooms ranging from pure white to dark red. For a no-fail centerpiece going down a table, I love floating them in pressed glass compotes of varying heights. These varieties are from a display of the San Diego Camellia Society at the garden show. I know my favorite; which is yours?
Those camellia's are absolutely gorgeous. My aunt had 2 camellia bushes on either side of her stairs up to her front door. I always thought they were beautiful. Enjoy your stay in Cal.
marcie
Posted by: Unique Unique Design | March 16, 2010 at 12:17 AM
Growing up in Calif. I have always taken the camillia for granted. Actually I'm not being a hater but as a child my job was picking up all the slimey, dead ones under the bush and I rather disliked them! But as for color in the garden during winter, you can't beat them. Now the magnolia and tulip trees are my true spring time loves and with all the rain this winter they are magnificent.
Posted by: cj | March 15, 2010 at 01:11 PM
My camelia bushes are covered in blooms! I have them floating in low glass bowls all over my house, on nearly every surface!
Posted by: Sarah (Matters of Style) | March 15, 2010 at 10:16 AM
I am rather jealous. Happy for you both - you deserve the sun-soaking and an afternoon filled with pretty blooms! Marija
Posted by: Marija | March 14, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Growing up in VA we had Camellias and Magnolias everywhere...I so miss them living here in NY!
Posted by: Live In Full Color | March 14, 2010 at 08:37 AM
Camellia's are so beautiful! I love floating a blossom in a teacup or small bowl. So pretty!
Posted by: Shelly | March 13, 2010 at 08:21 PM
Don't you just love San Diego? I'm moving there in just two weeks! Sooooo very excited.
See you tomorrow!!!
XO
Mary-Grace
Posted by: Mary-Grace | March 13, 2010 at 06:48 PM
One for my hair, please.
Posted by: The Broke Socialite | March 13, 2010 at 06:42 PM
The colors are amazing!!! They are so perfect the almost don't look real. I live in LA and you picked a great week to visit San Diego enjoy all the sunshine.
I'm new to the blog scene and so glad that I found yours.
You have a great eye.
xoxo
Janette Mallory
Posted by: Janette Mallory | March 13, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Hey Guys! Enjoy your bit of R & R. These camellia's are beautiful!
xx
Posted by: Renae | March 13, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Saw pics of you two on facebook eating at Zenbu (posted by a friend of a friend...) Hope you liked our little town of Cardiff by the sea!
Posted by: Pam | March 13, 2010 at 10:19 AM
#5!
Posted by: Shawn | March 12, 2010 at 08:21 PM
NUMBER 2 IS THE BEST...
DO THESE GROW IN THE EAST?
CAN YOU CUT THEM LIKE RODEDANDERIANS??
XXOO
MELISSA
Posted by: melissa lee | March 12, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Love #4 the best. But really, they are all gorgeous. Enjoy your time in Cali, Darlings! xoox, P
Posted by: Patti Davis | March 12, 2010 at 07:07 PM
I am hoping like crazy my pink bloomer has survived both blizzards!!!
It was amazing to see all these perfect examples...thanks!!!
Posted by: Acanthus & Acorn | March 12, 2010 at 06:18 PM
Was just visiting "gracehappens" and decided to check you out as she is so clearly smitten... Rightfully so!!
Loving your blog. Following immediately! xo
Posted by: Erica Cook | March 12, 2010 at 06:10 PM
I lived in San Diego thirteen years, and loved certain florals not here in Kansas city. Agapanthas, Magnolia Trees, and yes Camellia's a favorite. I have posted on my site about your KC visit & workshop! can't wait!!
Posted by: Karena | March 12, 2010 at 05:06 PM
Oh I just love them....but I've never planted any !!!
I am headed out to La Jolla in a bit....I hope you can give me some things to see and do I would be so appreciative !!!
Have fun guys......
Kathy :)
Posted by: Kathy :) | March 12, 2010 at 04:58 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: beth | March 12, 2010 at 04:55 PM
Great place San Diego, wonderful weather. Now the zoo is incredible too; thanks for the blooming pics, could use some more color today. Cold & dreary, reminds me of wet, wonderful Wales!
L.
Posted by: La Maison Fou | March 12, 2010 at 03:59 PM
sounds fun! those flowers are gorgeous...you have such great style love!
Posted by: ashlina | March 12, 2010 at 03:54 PM
Southern Living just had a great write up on Camelias (maybe in the Jan issue), and now I'm just dying to plant some... maybe I'll find some when we get out to the Bay Area after the big move!
Posted by: Elle | March 12, 2010 at 02:58 PM
After we bought our house about 3 years ago, I planted a cameliea bush out back and it's thrived! It's one of my favorite things about the house.
Unfortunately, I planted it where you can only see it if you're outside.... I guess that just means I'll have to plant more!
By the way, mine should be blooming next week! I have a pic of two from last year on a post I did earlier this week.
Posted by: Rachel | March 12, 2010 at 02:36 PM
Oh be still my heart! I'm from San Diego, living
in Colorado now...we had a huge hedge, 6 ft. tall of fuschia Camelias just bursting every spring.
Enjoy the sunshine, and all San Diego has to offer! (I eat nothing but fresh seafood when I visit...cannot get enough!)
Posted by: Kelly at Chatelaine | March 12, 2010 at 01:29 PM
We inherited camellias when we bought our house 15 years ago. They're so beautiful when they bloom and their glossy green foliage is nice all year. I only wish there was some way to bring the blooms into the house without having to float them, but they're just not meant to be cut flowers, I guess. If you know some secret method I haven't tried yet, I'd love to hear it!
Posted by: Tracy@comfortandluxury | March 12, 2010 at 12:19 PM
The flowers are absolutely gorgeous Number 2 would be my favorite followed by number one and the rest. Look forward to all your blog posts.
ann from oroville
Posted by: Ann Chamberlain | March 12, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Camellias are among my favorite flowers!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 12, 2010 at 11:36 AM
I love camelias, they are God's perfect little art piece, so close to perfect in every way. Have a wonderful time this weekend at the Rose bowl, You know I will be thinking of you two and all the fun you will be having. Can't wait to see the picts. xoxo Kathysue
Posted by: kathysue | March 12, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Thanks for the beautiful flowers! Just what I needed on this gloomy midwest morning.
Posted by: Kathi @ allthingswhite.etsy | March 12, 2010 at 10:22 AM
what gorgeous shots! camillias never fail to make me think of mrs. dubose, a character from my favorite book (to kill a mockingbird) and how she sat on her porch watching over the happenings of the neighborhood...i think they are a quintessential southern flower! thanks for sharing! you all are the best!
Posted by: kate s. | March 12, 2010 at 09:57 AM
GORGEOUS! I'd have to say my favorite is No. 1, Spring Festival I think? The colors are amazing!
Posted by: Emily @ Peach & Pearl | March 12, 2010 at 09:49 AM
They don't even look REAL they are so perfect and beautiful...My fave is the first reddish one. So symmetrical!
Posted by: Bailey@peppermintbliss | March 12, 2010 at 09:37 AM
Love camellias! In Baltimore, we are on the northern-most fringe of where they can be grown, but you do see a few. I just hope the blizzards didn't hurt them too much. Many evergreens were badly damaged.
Posted by: pigtown*design | March 12, 2010 at 09:24 AM
I want your life. You want to come cook dinner for my fam and do a load of laundry? Jaithan and I can cavort and stick camellias behind our ears.
As for the camellias, I like #2 and #4.
Posted by: Get Your Martha On | March 12, 2010 at 08:57 AM
How much fun you guys must be having! Mom always planted camillas around our house when we were growing up. She had a red shrub that was amazing and the most beautiful I have ever seen! I think photo #2 is the prettiest. The two toned appearance of it is so pretty.
Enjoy your trip!
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | March 12, 2010 at 08:55 AM
sooooooo beautiful!! i saw the camellia show at the atlanta botanical gardens in 2008 and it was so stunning in person. have a lovely time in socal...del mar is SO beautiful!
Posted by: Belle on Heels | March 12, 2010 at 08:45 AM
Beautiful. Mine are blooming as I type... going to bring some inside today!
Posted by: Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss | March 12, 2010 at 08:22 AM
I hope you got a chance to get up to La Jolla on your trip.
Posted by: suzanne spina @cestsuzanne | March 12, 2010 at 08:09 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE camellias!!!
ok this is a story i so shouldn't tell others, but when I was 5 I picked a camellia and carried it around in a mcdonald's styrofoam container for a whole day--- My camellia was a "she" and she came to school with me in her "bed" (the strofoam filled with wads of damp papertowels.) so weird. hahahah
gorgeous photos!
love yas!
Posted by: Lauren | March 12, 2010 at 07:24 AM
lovely, just saw fun pics of you guys over at grace happens! hey, hope you'll make it back this summer to kane co. flea...gindy and i would love to see you guys and "thrift" together! happy friday!
amanda
Posted by: amanda | March 12, 2010 at 07:11 AM
I love Camelias. We were blessed by three huge Camelia bushes when we moved into our house. I love them. Mine are blush pink but I love red Camelias.
Posted by: Jessica at Lavender and Lilies | March 12, 2010 at 06:42 AM
If I were going to just paint flowers, Camellia's would be at the top of my list, along with Gardenia's and Chrysanthemums. My girl is after all an "Amelia" - my own little blossom.
Enjoy CA and the sunshine.
pve
Posted by: pve | March 12, 2010 at 06:22 AM