A few months ago during a visit to Longwood Gardens I photographed several varieties of Japanese Camellias. Japanese Camellias (camellia japonica) are winter-blooming members of the Theaceae family. Originally native to China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan, these wonderful flowers are now grown throughout much of the world. There were introduced in the United States in the early 1800s as a greenhouse plant. They soon began to be planted outdoors in the south. They are the state flower for Alabama.

Here are a few of the Japanese Camellias I photographed at Longwood Gardens

Elegans Japanese Camellia

Elengans Japanese Camellia © 2015 Patty Hankins

Harlequin Japanese Camellia

Harlequin Japanese Camellia © 2015 Patty Hankins

Harlequin Japanese Camellia © 2015 Patty Hankins

Harlequin Japanese Camellia © 2015 Patty Hankins

Mrs. Nellie Eastman Japaense Camellia

Mrs. Nellie Eastman Japanese Camellia © 2015 Patty Hankins

Mrs. Nellie Eastman Japanese Camellia © 2015 Patty Hankins

Wildwood Japanese Camellia

Wildwood Japanese Camellia © 2015 Patty Hankins

Wildwood Japanese Camellia © 2015 Patty Hankins

Do you have a favorite cultivator of Japanese Camellias? If you do – let me know in the comments and I’ll keep an eye for them 🙂