My Mom left me her home, and when I moved in, I noticed these two plants in the backyard. They are about 3 1/2 feet tall. Last year, there were lots of big deep pink buds on these two plants, but none of them opened. It seemed as if something were eating them. This year, to my surprise, one plant has lots of buds, and they are actually opening. They are deep pink, with lots of petals. After they have been opened for a few days, the edges start turning a deep purple. What kind of Camelia is this? It has lots of petals and they are very firm. Thanks
What a nice description, and a nice story too! That bloom sounds exactly like 'Mathotiana' (more commonly called Purple Dawn), one of the all-time classics. I am sure your mother was very proud of it. See if this is it:
thank you both for your help, It lookes like the Mathotiana Rubra, and it also looks like the Middle Georgia. There isn't anything in the middle of this bloom. Nothing yellow. What ever it is, it's beautiful.
Yes, for sheer garden value Mathotiana is hard to beat. Another nice picture to compare is posted here in the Camellia Forum photo gallery by Casey's Mom. Check it out.
