Well this was a first for me … today a friend I had not seen in a few weeks “ooohed” and “aahed” about my Camellias and complimented me on my garden! It was a great moment. My lovely daughter is always enthusiastic and Barbie, bless you, you always say lovely things about the garden and I know you both mean it – but when a friend who has little interest in gardening told me today how lovely everything looks and stopped in front of the newly blossoming Camellias and said “wow, what lovely glossy leaves and beautiful flowers” … well, I felt so proud and happy!
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And the Camellias really are show-stoppingly gorgeous right now. Only three of my +/- 25 Camellias have started flowering and they really are giving us a wonderful show. A beautiful red and two different pinks are flowering in the front garden. One small shrub (the red) and two very large shrubs are covered in flowers. It has been a lot of work keeping them in tip-top shape and bug free. Aphids have been at them throughout the summer and its required bi-weekly inspections and washing off of pests and now we have these lovely healthy blooms. What a joy!
I’ve just read this: Aphids are attacked by a number of natural enemies including ladybug beetles and small wasps. I was wondering why I have so many wasps in my garden …
Happy gardening and I wish you a “blooming good week”!
xxx
7 replies on “Proud of my Camellias”
How gorgeous! I do so love camellias. Isn’t it nice to get a surprise compliment like that? That’s like getting an Oscar!
Hi Holley – Oh yes! Absolutely – I felt like I had won some big award! Very very cool 🙂
Your camellias are beautiful! And the leaves are so clean and shiny. Mine are just starting to flower.
I have to say they are gorgeous!! Well done, Chris. It is a labour of love to keep your garden growing happy and healthy. We salute the good bugs and may we learn to recognise all of them. Enjoy your beautiful garden and may we always be amazed by our plants!!!
They really are beautiful. Mine are mostly done, and I am glad you are still enjoying yours.
I’ve got a friend who would have said “wow, beautiful, but you have too many wasps and other insects around here”. =\
They are beautiful though. Nice work!
Thank you Alan! I’m so excited about them, I’m sure experienced gardeners wouldn’t get this excited but its my first year of having cared for them throughout the summer and bringing them to bloom – I’m sure by next year I’ll be more blase about them, but for now … I’m pleased as punch. And I’m learning to love all the “good” bugs – wasps included 🙂