Camellia 'Something Beautiful'

I caught a glimpse of something pink in the woodland garden as I was driving away from my house last week. I was going too fast to be certain, but from its location I thought it had to be Camellia japonica 'Something Beautiful.'

Blooming at last! This plant has been a disappointment since I planted it several years ago. Each year it produced only two or three blooms, though I know one sometimes has to be patient.

Growers often create an artificial environment that stimulates early, heavy bloom set that attracts buyers but promptly stops when the plant encounters normal garden conditions. It may be several years before the plant adapts and begins to produce abundant blooms again. Very young plants especially may need several years to mature. Too much or too little water, extreme cold, or insufficient light are also causes of poor bloom production.

When I went to check, it was indeed 'Something Beautiful,' finally living up to its name. It wasn't smothered in blooms, like some of my other camellias, but there were enough to impress.'Something Beautiful' is a Southern favorite, with pastel-pink flowers, edged with darker burgundy. My particular plant produced a variety of blooms, as you can see here.All of the flowers in this post came from the same plant at the same time.

'Something Beautiful' is a bushy, upright grower, reaching 10-12' high x 3-10' wide. It has glossy, oval evergreen leaves. It will grow in US hardiness zones 7-8, and it will produce blooms from winter into spring in acidic, well-drained soil, high in organic matter.

To encourage good drainage it is important to plant all camellias high, with their trunk bases above the soil line. Protect the roots with mulch and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Light shade under the canopy of tall, deep rooted trees that allow sun to filter through is ideal. To promote good health, keep spent blooms and fallen leaves cleaned from under the shrub. Wait until blooming has finished in early spring to fertilize. Camellias don't need a lot of fertilizer; once every two or three years may be sufficient. When you do fertilize, use an organic fertilizer created for acid loving plants. Any pruning should also be done immediately after the plant has finished flowering.

Here in the Deep South, winter is the perfect time to plant camellias; consider this one when you want something beautiful!

Christmas at Arlington House

Arlington House is located on six acres in Old Elyton, the first County Seat of Jefferson County in Alabama. Judge William S. Mudd built this Greek Revival home between 1845 and 1850.Judge Mudd was one of the ten original founders of Birmingham in 1871, and the new city grew up around Elyton. Arlington is among the few antebellum-era homes to survive the American Civil War in the 1860s. It was occupied by Union troops toward the end of the war, and no one knows why the home was not burned when the troops left, which was the fate of most other estate homes. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970.

Every year various decorators and clubs decorate the historic home for Christmas, and I looked forward to my visit this year.Fresh greenery is used in wreaths and swags throughout the home.
The Munger Parlor.

Charles S. Munger became owner of the property in 1902, and he was responsible for many renovations, including the addition of plumbing and electric lights.

The DeBardeleban Dining RoomThe Mudd Sitting Room

The Master Bedroom

"Grandmother's" Room - I am not sure if the elegant lady in the portrait would appreciate the theme from Red Riding Hood!

The Pine Room - This room was decorated by the Morning Glories Garden Club, a federated garden club for Jefferson County and surrounding areas.

The Children's Room

The following three images are of the kitchen, located in a separate building behind the house. The walk between the kitchen and the house was called the "Whistler's Walk," supposedly because the servants had to whistle while bringing meals to the main house. Since they could not chew and whistle at the same time, this prevented them from sneaking bites of the food!

You may also enjoy my previous posts : Holiday Decorating Ideas, Part I and Holiday Decorating Ideas, Part II, about a much more modern but beautifully decorated home. 

 Best wishes to you all!    Deb