Azaleas in April, Sasanqua camellias in November

 In March and April here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina the azaleas are in peak bloom, and I can go to Magnolia Gardens and wander among a color pageantry as beautiful and lovely as anything can be in this world, I do believe.   Pinks, reds, white, purple — all in abundance that time of year as my favorite blooming shrub paints the landscape.   I have been blessed to witness this flowering for as many Springs as I can remember going back to childhood and youth in New Orleans.   We had huge azaleas bushes in our back yard — 8-10 feet tall — and full of intense, richly colorful blooms each March.  I’ll never forget looking closely at the flowers 40 years ago and now, just as amazed at this miraculous display of new life and symbol of rebirth in Spring.

So, too, in the Fall here in Charleston.   This month is the peak bloom time for the Camellia Sasanqua, the earliest blooming camellia in our area.  Our large bushes in the front garden facing the street are full of the most beautiful and delicately hued white and pink flowers.  The white blooms dominate.   At Magnolia Gardens Saturday, Sasanquas were definitely at peak, and everywhere in the garden I walked, I took pictures of them nestled among  glossy evergreen leaves and oftentimes, also,  nestled in beds of Spanish moss.

I took many photos, thrilled to be seeing these flowers in bloom during another Autumn.  We may not get brilliant Fall leaf foliage here, but we have the majestic and awe-inspiring Sasanqua camellias, at Magnolia Gardens and throughout Charleston, a priceless gift of the season as surely as the azeleas each Spring.

Camellia Sasanqua

Camella Sasanqua

Sasanqua camellias