At the far end of my yard, I have been patiently awaiting the regrowth of some very old camellias. We found them last year when we 'defoliated' the outer, upward banks of the yard. They were woody, leafless and very tired looking. We ruthlessly cut them right back, fed them and removed all the weedy undergrowth.
To our surprise they quickly grew new, green leaves. It was then that I knew, that come this winter, they would bloom again. I just didn't know what colour the blossoms were going to be.
In the last few weeks they have revealed gorgeous new buds in a variety of colours!
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| A large stunning white with yellow centre, |
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| a pretty vibrant pink, |
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| and my favourite is this cherry red blossom. |
Last week, I also finally, planted out the back curved garden which I have been nurturing by regularly composting and feeding for at least a year and a half now. I decided on Gardenia Florida, as they were the only few flowering choices which would survive in this shady, damp section of the yard.
I did find this smaller variety of Gardenia called 'radicans variegata', which I've planted in the front of the 'augusta florida'. I liked the shade of grey and cream in the leaf, which contrasts the Florida and it too, blooms a double white flower in Summer.
Even though I've planted twenty plants in this garden bed, it still looks a little bare, but I guess it's a start. What I need now is something that flowers in the Winter time, so that there is something blooming in the garden all year round!
I hope you are enjoying this gorgeous winter weather, as much I am!
Giulia. x
