Monday, November 23, 2009

Tried and True: 'Mine No Yuki' Camellia

Can you imagine a more heavenly sight? On my way from Goldsboro to Charlotte last week I drove past this row of Sasanqua Camellias, turned my car around and stopped to admire. Each shrub is about 6-7 feet high and wide, collectively making an impressive display.

The skirt of petals surrounding each plant adds to the beauty, like a dusting of snow. The flowers of Camellia sasanqua "shatter" into individual petals as they fall from the stems (alternatively, Camellia japonica flowers stay whole).
This cultivar, 'Mine No Yuki,' was selected in the 19th century and the name literally translates to 'Snow on the Mountain.' The white peony-form flowers occur in late fall.

I love this plant.

4 comments:

  1. I am a huge fan as well, but fortunately mine is not nearly so large or it would need a new location.

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  2. Stunning! I would have turned around for that too!

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  3. Love that effect soooooo much. We tend to forget the secondary reasons for growing certain plants. This would be one of the most obvious,(right now, of course!)

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  4. In Chapter 11 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Mrs. Dubose is upset because Jem tries to destroy her Snow-on-the-mountain camellia bushes. I can see now why she would be so upset. Gorgeous!

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