My Favorite Camellia, 'High Fragrance'

In my winter garden along one side of the house, I grow several camellias in pots because they thrive much better in an acid potting medium rather than planted directly in my alkaline soil. The first to bloom is my favorite, a hybrid, peony-form camellia known as 'High Fragrance.' True to its name it bears lusciously-perfumed blossoms that bring warmth and joy to my heart. The plant is about 7 years old and grows upright bearing prolific clusters of perfumed buds. The semi-double flowers not only perfume the air, but their shell-pink color edged in deeper pink make wonderful "floaters" in bowls I have placed in almost every room of our home. When I am close to a 'High Fragrance' flower, I close my eyes, inhale its heady scent and think of spring even though it is February. As with all camellias, I fertilize with cottonseed meal after the bloom season is over.