Camellia sasanqua
Returned from my trip to Seattle but unfortunately no pictures because I didn't take my camera - my free time was very limited and I didn't think I would see much to photograph. I did see a couple of interesting plants which I couldn't identify. One looked like a very attractive weed with dark green leaves and purple stem with small yellow flowers on stalks.
There were also many varieties of Japanese maples starting to turn. We lived in Seattle about 10 years ago and noticed the many Japanese maples planted in peoples yard but I didn't realize there were so many varieties - I just lumped them into one "Japanese maple" category. But even with the limited exposure to the Japanese maples I had this time, I noticed several different kinds by the leaf patterns.
Anyway, I'm back at home now and the Camellia sasanqua 'Marti' is in full bloom. It started blooming sporadically about 3 weeks ago. The Camellia japonica 'Spring's Promise' is full of buds too but has not bloomed yet.
I took these photos before I went on the trip.
The Tiarella I planted in late summer bloomed for the first time. I like this plant more and more.
The Corydalis 'Blackberry Wine Red' has been blooming quite a while now and seems to be unfazed by the frosty mornings we've experienced for the past week.
Flowers of the Italian basil. I find these small flowers quite charming though they usually remain unnoticed when the larger and more colorful, decorative flowers are in their full glory.
Thai basil flowers. I think these are even more attractive than the Italian basil.
There were also many varieties of Japanese maples starting to turn. We lived in Seattle about 10 years ago and noticed the many Japanese maples planted in peoples yard but I didn't realize there were so many varieties - I just lumped them into one "Japanese maple" category. But even with the limited exposure to the Japanese maples I had this time, I noticed several different kinds by the leaf patterns.
Anyway, I'm back at home now and the Camellia sasanqua 'Marti' is in full bloom. It started blooming sporadically about 3 weeks ago. The Camellia japonica 'Spring's Promise' is full of buds too but has not bloomed yet.
I took these photos before I went on the trip.
The Tiarella I planted in late summer bloomed for the first time. I like this plant more and more.
The Corydalis 'Blackberry Wine Red' has been blooming quite a while now and seems to be unfazed by the frosty mornings we've experienced for the past week.
Flowers of the Italian basil. I find these small flowers quite charming though they usually remain unnoticed when the larger and more colorful, decorative flowers are in their full glory.
Thai basil flowers. I think these are even more attractive than the Italian basil.
posted by Ki at
4:20 AM
10 Comments:
I love your corydalis. I did not even know they came in different colors. I will have to look for this one. I have the yellow and that one itself was difficult to find. Where did you get your purple one?
Like Tina, I have the yellow Corydalis but have nicknamed it "can't-get-rid-of-this". I have seen the blue and a purple and wonder if they are as vigorous as the yellow. Who knew that the Thai Basil had such attractive flowers?
Basil is history here for this year, but I planted my first two Camellia sansanqua this spring and one has a bud. I'm surprised because they were tiny plants. Hope they grow up as nice as yours.
Seattle has been on our list of places to visit for about 20 years and we still haven't gotten there. I've heard it's a beautiful city.
Hi Tina,
I always wanted to plant Corydalis when I saw a picture of the blue Corydalis flexuosa in Horticulture magazine. Apparently that was a popular plant but a very difficult one to keep alive so it was a good thing I didn't buy the plant.
I bought the 'Blackberry' Corydalis at a nursery that specializes in perennials about 25 miles from where we live (they don't sell by mailorder). I'm quite happy with the plant as it seems to be a robust variety. I was thinking of buying the yellow Corydalis seed (lutea) but had already spent too much money last year so just settled on the more common Corydalis sempervirens with tiny pink and yellow flowers with grayish green leaves and was very easy to grow from seed. I think if you did a Google search, you will be able to find many kinds of Corydalis.
Thanks for your comment.
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Hi Les,
The "Blackberry' seems to be quite vigorous, able to withstand frosty mornings with ease. The leaves and plants are much larger than the Corydalis sempervirens (Roman wormwood) I planted from seed. The Corydalis sempervirens seems to be a weedy plant like your C. lutea.
I like plants with a purple green combination of colors so the Thai basil flowers were a bonus. I actually noticed the Italian basil flowers first and decided to check the Thai basil to see if they were blooming too which they were. I find that the most beautiful things go unseen because I see them only as veggies or herbs and not ornamental flowers. My prejudice and my loss. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Entangled,
Seattle is a lovely city. We lived there for 5 years. It does get a bit gloomy sometimes and the overcast skies and drizzle get to you especially when it gets dark so quickly in the winter but the city shines when the sun is out. You should definitely go out for a visit. Tons of things to do there.
I just pulled out the basil here too. There was one sprig on the Italian basil that was still green but the plant was knocked down by the frost so I just got rid of it and the Thai basil. Kept some seeds though.
What kind of C. sasanqua did you buy? Apparently the Japanese don't consider the C. sasanqua to be a true camellia but I like it just as much as the C. japonica. The C. japonica seems to last much longer than the sasanqua though. I received a catalog from a nursery in NC. They had hundreds of different varieties of camellias for sale. Unfortunately, I threw the catalog away because I didn't have space in my planting bed that has a favorable microclime to grow camellias so I can't tell you the name of the company.
Thanks for visiting.
Your sasanqua 'Marti' is a beautiful color. It is just the color I have been looking for to add to my garden for fall color. Now, I know what variety to look for. Thanks for posting the picture.
Jan
Always Growing
Ki, I bought C. sasanqua 'Leslie Ann' and 'Yuletide'. Leslie Ann is the one with a flower bud. I didn't know that sasanquas are considered a lesser species by connoisseurs, but they've impressed me so far by shrugging off the summer drought and looking just as happy as the day I planted them. I think I chose that species over japonica because they're said to be hardier?
Ki, Thank you for the info on the corydalis. I am going to looks for some more. Thanks so much!
Jan, I'm glad the 'Marti' is just the plant you're looking for. It has quite a lovely flower. The buds are small in comparison with the C. japonicas but open to quite a large (3" +) size. Thanks for stopping by.
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Entangled,
Wow! Yuletide is a beaut. I love the very nice red color of the petals. I would buy it if I had more space in my microclime bed. Leslie Ann reminds me of a begonia. Very pretty with the blush of pink on the edges of the petals.
My C. japonica 'Springs Promise' is definitely hardier than the C. sasanqua 'Marti'. How can I tell? The Marti's branches furthest away from the warmth of the house has severe dieback so all the branches are very close or touching the house. The SP has branches in the round although it too favors the warmth of the house. I would have loved to bought a nice white camellia but have unfortunately run out of space =:( Rats!
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I hope you find the Corydalis you want Tina. There are many varieties to choose from. I just bought some Corydalis solida corms from Van Engelen bulbs. I didn't know that Corydalis formed corms! I'll let you know if those turn out to be a good variety.
Great photos of some lovely plants!
Hi Connie, Thanks for the nice comment. Surprisingly there are still plants that are blooming in our yard. The cranesbill geraniums and silenes think this mild fall weather is actually spring.
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