“Finally Opening”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
One of the most anticipated periods in winter is camellia season. Usually, these lovely flowers start blooming in early winter, and the bloom period often can last into late winter. We did have some flowers that started opening in early December, but then with the cold snaps, they stopped. All the buds remained firmly shut tight. By late February normally, the camellia blooming season is winding down, but not this year. Many of these winter bloomers are only starting to bloom now.
Finally, something besides the old-fashioned pink camellia is starting to show up. This afternoon, I was able to find a few of the red and white camellias that have opened. In checking the all red flowering bush though, I found it will take a few more days of warmer temperatures to coax those buds to open.
Patience will be required for a few more days, and I can hardly wait because I really need some flowers now.
Always Growing 
linnie said,
February 25, 2010 at 8:53 pm
beautiful flower Jan
Linnie in Destrehan, LA
Jan said,
February 26, 2010 at 5:31 am
Thanks, Linnie. I can’t wait to take photos of the red ones when they finally open.
Janet said,
February 25, 2010 at 8:55 pm
It is time for a good flower fix isn’t it? I was looking at the Camellias in the Learning Garden today. Ours are a bit delayed as well.
Jan said,
February 26, 2010 at 5:32 am
Janet, there is so much that has been delayed by the cold weather. The redbud tree next door usually blooms by Feb 1st. This year – nothing so far.
Jackie (Ellie Mae's Cottage) said,
February 25, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Wish we could grow them here… well we can but only inside or in pots since they have to be over wintered. I love their scent.
Jan said,
February 26, 2010 at 5:33 am
Jackie, it is a shame you can’t grow these outside because they are so pretty in winter.
Phillip said,
February 26, 2010 at 8:05 am
It look like “Govenor Mouton” – I have a small one that is blooming right now. I color the color variation.
Jan said,
February 27, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Thanks for the info, Phillip. This camellia was here when we bought our home, so I have no way of knowing its name.
Robin said,
February 26, 2010 at 11:37 am
I am in southern Mississippi and was out walking this morning, enjoying my camellias that are blooming and buzzing with scads of bees! These bushes are 40 years old and fantastic. My new camera gets in Monday… can’t wait!
Jan said,
February 27, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Our old-fashioned pink has to be at least 40 years old, too. It was here when we bought the house. It must have been planted in the early ’60’s at the latest. I love the big old camellia bushes. Usually, our flowers are covered with little bees, but not this year. I didn’t realize they were AWOL until you mentioned your bushes and the bees. I wonder what happened to ours.?
Jess said,
February 27, 2010 at 12:28 pm
I only have one camellia, and it is a somewhat early bloomer, starting in November. Unfortunately, he lost every bloom in January. That said I am heading out to the plantations in a few weeks to take in their magnificent show.
Jan said,
February 27, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Jess, how disappointing that you will have no blooms this year. My Debutant stopped blooming when we had our extra cold spells, and I was afraid the blooms might we ruined, but with the little warm up we have had lately, it has started blooming again. Enjoy looking at the camellias when you go on your trip.