Winter has arrived at Netherby and the camellias in the house garden are opening their white, pink and red flowers.
Garden beds surrounding the house feature both roses and camellias, in particular the sun loving camellia sasanquas. On the east side is a rare camellia, known as the Waratah camellia, grown from seedling plants brought to Australia in 1831, grown on by William Macarthur in his propagating nursery at Elizabeth Farm. The deep pink/red flowers resemble the native Waratah.
If anyone knows how our Waratah camellia came to Netherby, we would love to hear your story!
Slightly further afield, visitors who venture down the brick path towards the road will find a treasure trove. The beautifully shaped flowers of Camellia japonicas need shelter from harsh sunlight. Here in the protective shade of big old trees dozens of camellia japonicas are in full flower right now. It’s the perfect time to see them.
There’s a new section of this garden to visit too. The Friends of Fagan volunteers and Council staff have worked together to clear an overgrown area, and replant with camellias, hydrangeas, and spring bulbs. We have been lucky that we have had some good rain since planting. Council staff have put down a thick mulch, and the young camellias are flowering already.
If you are wondering what will grow well in your garden, and flower in winter, now’s the time to see camellias, small, medium and large, growing in a natural environment. It’s good to know just how big your favourites are likely to become.
by Angela Morgan
