Camellia of the Woods

This specimen belongs to my neighbor. An old gentleman of 80+ years who many years ago scatter-planted numerous indigenous plants into the strip of woods between my house and his. This camellia starts the blooming season which includes (eventually) oak leaf hydrangeas, leatherleaf mahonia, magnolias, wisteria, dogwoods, redbuds, rose of sharon and others whose names escape me at the moment.