The world is too much with us…

William Wordsworth

The past month has been very stressful. The burdens of the world seem to oppress and overwhelm me. Now more than ever I rely on the nature sanctuary that is close by and whose paths I have trodden for 30 years, soaking up the quiet and enjoying and photographing the abundant camellias in Autumn and Winter and the azaleas in Spring.

I pull off a very busy four-lane road in the middle of the city, drive down the road to the entrance, the sounds of the city fade away. Oftentimes when I am there late in the afternoons, I have the entire 600-acre park to myself, or do it seems. A few other people maybe, walking or riding bikes. I sometimes have to pinch myself that it’s all read, it’s such a total contrast to the hectic clamor of the city all around it. Towering live oaks and beautiful expanses of salt marsh calm the soul. I am so thankful I will have this unique and special place of beauty and tranquility to retreat to in the dark days ahead for the U.S. and the world.

In October and the first two months of November, the park is full of pink, white and red camellias, each small tree-like shub covered with what to me are the most delicate and beautiful of all flowers, surpassing even roses, in my estimation. I have become a huge fan of camellias since I started visiting this sanctuary, and for weeks now during photo walks there I have been taking photos of the Sasanquas. They are almost through flowering now, and the japonica variety will soon take over with its own exceptional offerings of beautiful flowers from now until early Spring.

I did a little research on the Internet and came across this overview of the Sasanqua’s journey in the U.S.

Camellia sasanqua are truly beautiful, versatile shrubs or small trees native to Japan, celebrated for their exquisite and vibrant flowers. They’re quite popular in gardens all around Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry due to their iconic Southern beauty, graceful appearance, and lengthy bloom season.

The history of Sasanquas in the U.S. traces back to the early 19th century, though they did not initially receive the same level of attention as their close relative, the Camellia japonica.

Sasanquas were introduced into the country from Japan in the 1800s, around the same time Camellia japonica was appearing in American gardens. However, their introduction was modest compared to japonicas, which quickly became prized for their larger flowers. Sasanquas, with their smaller, more delicate blooms, were often overlooked initially. Many think the japonicas are more beautiful, and that’s certainly arguable, but I still prefer Sasanquas. When they start blooming in early October, it is the clearest sign to me that Autumn has arrived, well before any cold weather.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Sasanquas began to receive more attention as gardeners and horticulturists recognized their.unique qualities.

Nurseries in the southeastern U.S., especially in states like South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, began cultivating Sasanquas for their adaptability to southern climates. These camellias could thrive in areas with mild winters and were often more resilient in hot, humid conditions than japonica varieties.

By the mid-20th century, American growers and breeders developed numerous cultivars of Sasanqua camellias, selecting for specific flower colors, bloom shapes, and growth habits. This era saw the introduction of popular varieties like ‘Yuletide,’ known for its vibrant red flowers with yellow centers.

The variety of flower forms (single, semi-double, and double) and the ability to breed new color variations helped broaden Sasanqua camellias’ appeal.

By the 1960s and 1970s, Sasanqua camellias had firmly established themselves in American landscapes, especially in the South, where they thrived in gardens, public spaces, and ornamental plantings.

Here is an album of some of my recent photos of Sasanqua camellias. See if you can spot the Yuletide variety of Sasanqua.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/camas/454rwaX0m7