Time to check out the camellias

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As we begin to feel the season change it’s time to watch out for camellias

First come the sasanquasOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

These light hearted trees are flowering all over the mountain at the moment, many of the trees have a carpet of petals underneath as the sasanqua blooms shatter easily

Still to come are the japonicas which have a lot more variety in the blooms and last longer.  Last year all the camellias in the garden were pruned back quite hard, as the trees were becoming too tall to see the blooms, they are starting to grow back again but they are still putting on a good show.

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The largest and most spectacular of all the camellias are the reticulatas

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Featured are Camellias reticulata ‘Susie O’Neill’ and ‘Glorious Gift’. These blooms are as big as a handspan.  These blooms are from Garden Journal Editors Garden.

Every time you enjoy a cup of tea you are enjoying the camellia sinensis shown growing in our own botanic gardens

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There are now many Tea Plantations in Australia, Pictured is the Nerada Plantation outside Cairns

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“If you are cold, tea will warm you;
If you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.”
William Ewart Gladstone