Winter flowers: Camellia Sasanqua

Camellia is a genus of flower plants, but they look more like trees, in my humble opinion. There are two main varieties of camellia in Japan. The camellia sasanqua and camellia Japan, most commonly called sasanqua and camellia respectively. Both bloom in winter, but the sasanqua typically bloom first and are currently in bloom in many places around the Kanto area.

This year I started seeing camellia in bloom in mid November. But just a few on a tree here and there. By December 1st there were far more trees with far more blooms. The photo in this post was taken on December 12th 2024. Pink are the most common color you find, but there are also white camellia in bloom right now. I find the camellia bloom for a long period of time, the ones in the park pictured here, typically bloom for at least two months.

Although camellia have been in Japan for centuries and revered for just as long, there isn't that much hype about them when they bloom. Maybe because they are so common? But there are some places that are more famous than others for the plant flower. Such as the three million, give or take, wild camellia in Izu Oshima. There is a camellia festival there annually. Mt Kasayama Camellia grove in Yamaguchi is also pretty well known I think. And in Tokyo, Jindai botancial garden is known for its camellia too.

Have you seen any sasanqua camellia in bloom yet this year?