Wednesday, April 2, 2014

White By The Gate Camellias







~ White By The Gate ~

I planted this camellia japonica last March, 

and I selected it specifically for its double white blooms.

Camellias are considered the rose of winter

in southern gardens.  The dark green glossy foliage 

is a beautiful contrast to the pure white.





The information card said it would 

produce continuous displays of perfectly 

formed pure white flowers.





I'd agree!

 This has to be one of the most perfectly

formed pure white flowers I've ever seen.





~ White By The Gate ~

I'm off to the garden center to buy more.





This pretty pink camellia is from a friend's garden.

 It was the star of a table setting a few years ago.

 You can see an update of the original post here.

Joining
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage




Labels: ,
Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

65 comments:

  1. Blondie's JournalApril 2, 2014 at 12:55 AM

    Sarah...the bloom is exquisite! Is this the first time it has bloomed since you planted it last March? I can see why you are off for more. I did that once I got the pleasure of seeing my climbing rose bloom a few years ago! :)

    XO,
    Jane

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  2. Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow April 2, 2014 at 12:56 AM

    Beautiful photos! xoxo

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  3. AnonymousApril 2, 2014 at 2:45 AM

    Hi Sarah! Oh, what a beautiful bloom! Most elegant. We're so blessed to have found our 'Mr. Rights'! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia;)

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  4. LynnApril 2, 2014 at 3:08 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous! I don't think I've ever seen a camellia up close here in the north, we're missing out:@)

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  5. JojoApril 2, 2014 at 4:43 AM

    Simply beautiful! If you ever make it to Georgia in February let me know. The American Camellia Society is headquartered in Fort Valley and it features Massee Lane Gardens - oner 100 acres of gardens filled with camellias. During that time they hold a great plant sale too. Come on over!

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  6. TriciaApril 2, 2014 at 5:16 AM

    Simply gorgeous, Sarah! I don't see many camellias in our area, and I miss them from our years in Tallahassee and Baton Rouge. Are yours planted in pots, or do you have to amend the soil? I'd love to add some to our garden!

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  7. Divine TheatreApril 2, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    My mother-in-law loves camellias. However, they are not hardy to this zone. I found one on ebay last Summer that claimed to be hardy to zone 5 but I think our harsh Winter likely killed it. The hunt continues...LOL!
    Thank you for such beautiful inspiration!

    xo

    Andie

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  8. La Table De NanaApril 2, 2014 at 8:08 AM

    Wish I could grow them here..Perfection!

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  9. hidden art of homemakingApril 2, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    Sarah,
    That camellia is so beautiful. I have always meant to buy that one...Maybe this is the year...
    Thanks for sharing this..
    Love, Mona

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  10. Art and SandApril 2, 2014 at 10:48 AM

    I must get myself a camellia plant. I loved them when I was a child and they grew on either side of our back door.

    I wonder if your soil and climate are good for camellias?

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  11. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMEApril 2, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    Beautiful Sarah! I don't think they would grow here, but they are gorgeous. I LOVE the white!

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  12. Alycia NicholsApril 2, 2014 at 4:23 PM

    The white ones are so perfect! They look almost like wax! Gosh....so pretty!!! I don't know if camellias can survive our frigid Kansas City winters or not. If they can, they would surely be one that I would choose if we ever get that landscaping going outside. Beautiful!!!

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  13. KathleenApril 2, 2014 at 5:05 PM

    They are so beautiful, and hard to find here! Alma has one, and since I saw hers I have been looking. The white is so pretty!

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  14. Ann @ Corner of Plaid and PaisleyApril 2, 2014 at 8:32 PM

    OOooohh!! You are so right- this is a beautiful flower and your photos are beautiful as well. We don't have Camelias around here. So pretty.

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  15. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderApril 2, 2014 at 9:00 PM

    Dearest Sarah,
    You White by the Gate looks lovely! We too have this variety and enjoy it every year. As long as rain does not affect the pure white petals they are gorgeous.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  16. Antiques And TeacupsApril 2, 2014 at 10:06 PM

    I do love camellias! They don't grow well here...too wet..but we had many where we used to live. Gorgeous..and such variety! Lovely photos!
    Ruth

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  17. The TablescaperApril 2, 2014 at 10:13 PM

    Wow! Gorgeous. Just stunning.

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  18. NanaDianaApril 2, 2014 at 10:45 PM

    My goodness, Sarah. You can't get much more perfect than that! Gorgeous- and so is the light pink one! xo Diana

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  19. Ivy and ElephantsApril 2, 2014 at 10:56 PM

    WOW!!! It really is a beauty that can only be found in nature. Gorgeous!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  20. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryApril 3, 2014 at 3:51 AM

    Beautiful blooms Sarah, thanks so much for sharing this beautiful white camellia. Never seen one this pretty.
    Mary

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  21. MaryApril 3, 2014 at 4:55 AM

    Sarah, Your white camellia is a stunner! White blooms are my favorites with their quiet beauty. I think they far surpasses the pink camellias that we have. MY MIL planted her garden so that everything that blooms in the spring is white only, from Lenten rose, dogwoods, azaleas, jonquils and oakleaf hydrangea. She moved last year and I miss having access and admiring her beautiful blooms.

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  22. DianeApril 3, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    Sarah, being a southern "girl"(Ha!)myself, I adore Camellias. However, I have always loved the red ones. After seeing this gorgeous white specimen, I may have to re-think that. It is gorgeous.

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  23. Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLizApril 3, 2014 at 7:29 AM

    That is a beautiful flower. I can't grow camelias here because it gets too cold for them. I know a gal in Virginia that has a camelia that must be at least 8 ft. tall and blooms a pretty pinkish red. I really never knew anything about them until I started blogging. Hope you had fun at the garden center!

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  24. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageApril 3, 2014 at 7:37 AM

    I have admired my MIL camelllias for a long time. I love your white bush of course. So pretty! I wish they grew here.

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  25. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsApril 3, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    What beautiful blooms!

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  26. BeverlyApril 3, 2014 at 9:03 AM

    Sarah, I am a lover of camellias, too. And, your White By The Gate is a stunner. Pure perfection.♥

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  27. JacquelineApril 3, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    Sarah, those camellias are stunners! They don't grow here but I love them. What an elegant flower. There is nothing like flowers in the garden to bring a little joy!

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  28. Red Couch RecipesApril 3, 2014 at 9:24 AM

    So beautiful! I love them but can't grow them in Utah. We used to have them in California and I loved them. Joni

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  29. Linda @ Life and LindaApril 3, 2014 at 9:58 AM

    How perfect are they? Beautiful flowers to admire. They look so elegant, especially the white one.

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  30. Linda @ A La CarteApril 3, 2014 at 11:11 AM

    Sarah, that is a beautiful flower. I haven't seen one like that before...gorgeous!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  31. Ricki TreleavenApril 3, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    The white camellias are so lovely! Wow, they are perfect.

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  32. Gillena CoxApril 3, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    your white Camellia is just perfect; have a nice Thursday

    much love...

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  33. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseApril 3, 2014 at 2:40 PM

    White camelias are among my favourite flowers. Your pictures are beautiful.

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  34. Bargain Decorating with LaurieApril 3, 2014 at 4:44 PM

    Oh Sarah, it's beautiful. I've always loved white in the garden. Your photos are great. I could almost smell the Camellia. laurie

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  35. Patti @ Pandoras BoxApril 3, 2014 at 7:01 PM

    Sarah - I am so anxious for spring to bring us flowers! Thanks for sharing yours - and it certainly is a perfect boom!

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  36. PatApril 3, 2014 at 7:54 PM

    Sarah,
    Simply breathtaking!!!
    Such purity!!!
    Exquisite!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  37. Zuni, Chickadee Home NestApril 3, 2014 at 9:29 PM

    Hi, Sarah. What a perfect, beautiful flower! I'd be running to the store to buy more too! Wow! ~Zuni

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  38. BabsApril 4, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    Your white camellia is breathtaking! Camellias are one of my favorite flowers, but I only have a sasanqua which has a single bloom. I'm checking out the garden center for the White By The Gate one.

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  39. The Vintage ChateauApril 4, 2014 at 2:27 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous flowers! I've never grown them, are they fragrant too?
    Karee

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  40. Johanna GehrleinApril 4, 2014 at 5:45 PM

    Hi Sarah,
    I agree. Camellias are perfect, Flowers of paradise.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  41. LVApril 4, 2014 at 7:17 PM

    I am a sucker for pretty flowers. This is absolutely breathtaking. I have never had one of them.

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  42. UnknownApril 4, 2014 at 9:46 PM

    Oh how gorgeous. I do love camellias. In fact, I just discovered two camellia bushes hiding in my backyard that I hadn't realized I had. Such a delightful treat. We shall both be in flower heaven this spring!

    Kaye Swain
    KayeSwain.com

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  43. PoppyApril 4, 2014 at 9:47 PM

    Hi Sarah,

    Your camellias, both the pure white and the pretty pink, are perfection, indeed! I can imagine a bunch of them in your garden, a beautiful sight, for sure.

    Have a lovely weekend!

    Poppy

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  44. Botanic BleuApril 5, 2014 at 2:08 AM

    Beautiful camellias and beautiful photography...reminds me of my mother's.

    Judith

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  45. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenApril 5, 2014 at 7:56 AM

    What a beauty your camellia is, Sarah! I have never grown them, but I can see why you were headed to the garden store to buy more. Happy planting! xo

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  46. Susan Nowell @ My Place to YoursApril 5, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    Sarah, I've never grown camellias, but they're some of my favorite flowers during that "off season" time of year. Your white variety is absolutely stunning. I can see why you're off to the garden center to buy more!

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  47. The French HutchApril 6, 2014 at 12:09 PM

    Yes, I agree too Sarah, such a beautiful and perfect bloom. I haven’t had any lucky growing Camellias but my MIL certainly has, and I enjoy photographing them. I will have to look for this Camellia and try again.

    Hugs,
    Emily

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  48. Castles Crowns and CottagesApril 6, 2014 at 2:21 PM

    Imagine that....a rose of winter.....how we have needed such a flower for five months now, for we had the worse winter ever! Sarah my friend, thank you for understanding, A BIENTÔT. I will be back only once a month. I LOVE BLOGGING! Anita

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  49. Celestina MarieApril 7, 2014 at 7:56 AM

    Hi Sarah,
    Your blooms are gorgeous. I also have a Camellia in red and it gives us a beautiful showing. Another in pink but your white is so pretty. I would love to plant one too.
    So nice to meet you Sarah and visit your lovely blog. I see you over at Laurie's in comments and have wanted to stop by for so long.
    So glad I did.
    Wishing you a great week.
    Happy Gardening.
    Hugs

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  50. Celestina MarieApril 7, 2014 at 8:00 AM

    Hi Sarah, tried to follow and it looks like I have already signed in a long time ago and so sorry to lose touch. I suppose that happens with so many blogs to follow.
    See you again sooner~~~
    XO

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  51. Deborah MontgomeryApril 7, 2014 at 10:03 AM

    Such a beautiful flower! It almost doesn't look real it's so perfect. I like that you call it rose of winter. We don't have them here, love seeing your pictures.

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  52. StitchforkApril 7, 2014 at 10:25 AM

    So pretty! Wish we could grow them here. But this winter was especially hard, even my rhododendrons are looking a bit peaked.
    xo

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  53. LuluApril 7, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    After years of admiring camellias, I finally planted one and though it blooms, I've been disappointed it has not been more profuse.

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  54. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of SuburbiaApril 7, 2014 at 6:35 PM

    Oh my they are just gorgeous!!!

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  55. Rosemary and ThymeApril 7, 2014 at 7:38 PM

    What a gorgeous flower Sarah. So delicate and pure. A truly exquisite beauty and gift from nature.

    Janet
    rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com

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  56. AnonymousApril 7, 2014 at 8:31 PM

    Hi Sarah! Thank you for popping in to see me and I hope you have a wonderful week.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  57. Debbie@Mountain BreathsApril 7, 2014 at 8:52 PM

    I sure wish we could grow Camellias here, but I inquired a few years ago and it's a no go. What a beautiful flower!

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  58. Yvonne @ StoneGableApril 7, 2014 at 10:16 PM

    Sarah, thanks for the virtual camellias! They won't grow where I am in the north... and I love these spring bloomers so! The white one is magnificent! If only I could smell them!

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  59. Moni - Zuhaus at HomeApril 8, 2014 at 6:22 PM

    This is beautiful Sarah, just so picture perfect…thanks for sharing. Happy Spring to you!

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  60. xinexApril 9, 2014 at 2:05 PM

    I have red and pink camellias but your white one is simply gorgeous, Sarah...Christine

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  61. BonnieApril 10, 2014 at 3:08 PM

    Sarah, I have a white by the gate camellia and it is my very favorite of all my camellias. Yours is indeed lovely.

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  62. Natasha in OzApril 10, 2014 at 11:50 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing at the Say G'day Saturday linky Party. I have just pinned the post as I love camellias. I have the pink one at the end of your post!

    Hope you join in again tomorrow!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

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  63. Angelina at Petite HausApril 14, 2014 at 2:05 PM

    These are *beautiful*!

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  64. Decor To AdoreApril 18, 2014 at 12:29 PM

    I adore both the look and fragrance of camellias.

    Have a delightfully lovely Easter.

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  65. BernideenApril 22, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    Growing up in Virginia - I long for the sight of Camelias!

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.

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