Nitidissima again

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In a blog or two ago, we were saying that our C.nitidissima – or chrysantha – had not flowered for the past 8 years, and then we found flower buds this season – so we have been pleased.

Another close look and we have found a seed, about 6cm and sort of round – so we must have had flowers last year as well. We will have to be more diligent! We will keep an eye on the seed and wait for it to mature and see if we can grow something from seed. All the C.crapnelliana – another species – one with huge seed pods 12 and 13 cm round – are maturing and falling from last season’s flowers, so maybe the nitidissima may be soon. It is still really green, so time will tell.

One other species that we have been trying to prop for a few years is C. lapidea. We are excited to have a seedling coming on, about 12 months old and about 20cm tall. All attempts to prop from cutting and graft have been unsuccessful. We will keep trying as new material becomes available.

Open to the Public, camellias, vireyas

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Our open days will be on again for the next two weekends;

  • Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May – 8.00 am to 3.00 pm
  • Saturday 21 May and Sunday 22 May – 8.00 am to 3.00 pm

Please be aware that we do not offer EFTPOS – cash only please.

The following Sunday 29 May, we will be at the Glasshouse Sustainability Expo at Beerwah – see us there.

Half Aspasia Macarthur, half Margaret Davis

Camellia nitidissima/chrysantha

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What a glorious day – in fact, a perfect weekend – and we are so glad that our change of plans meant that we were able to be open to the public this weekend.

On one of our garden walks with some visiting camellia lovers yesterday, I was showing off our beautiful Camellia chrysantha , (also called C. nitidissima), and lamenting that, apart from the first year we planted it out in the garden, for the past 8 years, we have not seen a flower. We have been somewhat disappointed with this, as the plant is beautifully healthy, putting on an abundance of new growth – like now – but alas, no flowers.

Then, one of our visitors exclaims ” Is that a flower bud there?”. Closer inspection revealed three of four branches with a dozen or more round yellow buds, about 12 or 13mm in diameter, tucked tightly in the leaf axils of the older growth. We are pleased!

We have asked ourselves, is it because of the weather? are the conditions just right? is it now getting the right amount of sun/shade? We don’t really know, we are just pleased. We took photos, just to prove the point!

Buds on c. Chrysantha

So this afternoon, we wandered the garden again, as we like to do after a day working the garden, interspersed with talking camellias and rhododendron, magnolias and michellias with visitors, (and selling a few) and we see about 8 little round, yellow buds, on the ground, under the chrysantha bush. Oh the horror!!

What we are now thinking is that, among the abundant bird life we ‘enjoy’ in our garden, one or more has taking a liking to little yellow buds. We know that, when the chooks free range in the garden, they are often seen pecking at new shoots and little flower buds. Maybe one of the many miners, or rosellas, or blue faces..

Maybe when the tree gets bigger, the number of buds will out strip the bird’s enthusiasm to pick them off. I don’t know how big it will have to get, it’s 3 metres tall now.

Meanwhile, we think we know the answer……

Open Days – Camellias

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Change of plan – we are open this Labour Day long weekend – that’s Saturday 30 April, Sunday 1 May and Monday 2 May – 8.00 am to 3.00 pm.

Our first couple of open days have worked very well with a good number of folk visiting. The sasanquas are flowering well and we have good stock available. It is still a little early in the season for most of the japonicas although we have managed to pick blooms from about 30 varieties in the garden.

Another fairly torrential rain event yesterday did not do the flowers any good, but the cooler weather has meant that the flowers are opening well and staying fresh. Such a great time in a camellia garden, if a little damp under foot.

Open again Saturday 7 May, just the right time to get Mum a camellia for Sunday – Mother’s Day. We are closed for Mother’s Day on Sunday 8th. See our earlier entry for more open days.

Please note, we do not have an EFTPOS facility.

Gardens and Nursery Open to the Public

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The nursery and gardens are open to the public for the next 3 weekends – Saturday and Sunday – 8.00 am to 3.00 pm. That’s 17 and 18 July, 24 and 25 July, 31 July and 1 August. After that, visits are by appointment only. Please ring or email to make arrangements. Ask us about our Camellia Collections lists – from recommendations for beginners to lists of deep reds, best whites, formal double pinks, miniatures and some different ones.

Garden and Nursery open to the public – 3rd and 4th July

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Our garden and nursery will be open to the public again this weekend – Saturday and Sunday 3rd and 4th July – 8.00 am to 3.00 pm. The largest range of Camellias you are likely to find anywhere as well as an extensive range of Vireya Rhododendrons. Come and enjoy the Camellias in full flower. Hundreds of plants available for sale.

Nursery and Garden Open Days

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Our nursery and gardens are open to the public on the weekends 19 & 20, 26 & 27 June, 3 & 4, 17 & 18, 24 & 25 July, 31 July & 1 Aug – 8.00am to 3.00 pm. We have about 175 camellia varieties – sasanqua and japonica -in 140mm pots available for sale, as well as some 50 varieties of vireya. See our lists. We are running out of some varieties. We also have hundreds of 200mm camellias – some at half price. Come and visit.

One of our Mrs Nellie Eastman flowers

Nursery open to the public

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The nursery will be open this weekend – 8.00am – 3.00pm. come and visit, walk the gardens. Plants will be available for sale – probably the largest number of varieties in Queensland. PS If you like this site, tell your neighbours, your friends and family, tell your garden club. Visitors are welcome on our open days.