Camellias Walks at Middleton Plantation

by Susan Gardner

Camellias are one way the Lord blesses us in the winter I’m convinced. When it’s cold, they start blooming and give us flowers when almost all else is dormant. On my way out to Holly Hill to show a home, I drove past this beauty!

I couldn’t help but stop, walk to the edge of these strangers yard and snap a couple of pictures to share with you. I hope it brightens your day and since I'm writing on camellias, I'll share some interesting facts below.

camellias are evergreens and belong to the tea family
they prefer moist, well drained soil and partial shade
they can be a small tree or large shrub
their trees can reach 66' in height
the flowers typically have 5-9 petals and are white, creamy, yellow, red or pink in color
they have no smell but attract bees by their color
in the language of flowers, they symbolize adoration, devotion and loveliness
their leaves have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat asthma and cardiovascular disease
they are native to Asia and thought to have arrived in America in the 1700's
they can live 100 to 200 years old in the wild

Also, (to brag and inform,) did you know The Garden Club of America has called the 65 acre garden at Middleton Place “the most important and interesting garden in America?” Centuries-old camellias bloom there in the winter months and we’re lucky to have them so close. Recently, in the January 2019 Garden and Gun magazine, they wrote an article titled Meet the King of Camellias, which is about Sidney Frazier who started working at Middleton in the gardens in 1974. The chairman of Middleton's board and cofounder of the Charleston Horticultural Society, Sallie Duell, states, "Sidney has been the steward of the garden longer than any other know person, and he's also the most hands-on of any of its caretakers." Every winter Middleton opens their gardens for Camellia Walks. It's a beautiful and educational experience. Be sure to get your tickets early.

Lastly, if you have camellias in your yard and want to share, please post some pictures. There are so many varieties!