Camellia

Camellias are entering their peak bloom period now and into February in Charleston and surrounding gardens. Each winter, I photograph them extensively. There is something magical and unique about this flower, not just the fact that it blooms in cold weather. But as you can imagine, the fact that we have these gorgeous flowers blooming everywhere when it might be 32 degrees outside, is a very cheering happenstance in winter. I guess you could say it makes winter seem like Spring.

[sally agnew]

It is a beautiful colour, I really love the detail and dof :)

[Dave59]

Amazing flowers. We only see them in the wild in the Adelaide Hills, in the depths of winter (not like your winter at all, though :)). Most of the soils here are alkaline.