February heralds the start of spring here in the UK, although officially spring begins in March. The 1st if you go by the meteorological calendar (I don’t) or the spring equinox which is on Wednesday 20 March this year. After the dull dark days of winter, February is when the days grow longer, the light lingers until late evening and sunrise is before 8 am. It is also when delicate looking bulbs pop up above ground and buds begin to open and gardeners start to get excited again. Dwarf Iris reticulata or histrioides, daffodils, hyacinths, snowdrops and crocuses are among the more common ones. In Cornwall, camellias and magnolias are making their presence known.
With all these delightful alternatives choosing one flower to represent the month is quite difficult, but I shall opt for the Camellia as it is the one flower that adorns many gardens, public spaces and churchyards in Cornwall during this month and is what I consider to be the ‘Winter Rose’.
February is the start for the collection of over 500 Camellias in Trebah Gardens to come into its main flowering season and where you will find flowers ranging from pure white to dark crimson, some double, some single, some flecked or bicoloured. So if you are in Cornwall now is the time to visit some of the wonderful Cornish gardens.
Earth laughs in flowers 
Not been too bad a winter over there, but it still must be so good to herald spring
Well it hasn’t been too cold, but Nov and Dec were very wet and dull. It is so nice to have longer days again. And to be able to go outside at last!
Beautiful 🌸
Lovely blooms, we are a bit later up here so I’m seeing snowdrops and daffodils, a bit early yet for camellias and magnolia.
Yes, Cornwall is a good three weeks in advance usually. But I think you are having hotter weather at the moment 😊 Looks like today could be nice.
Yes I think my blossom tree is going to flower a bit early if the big cold doesn’t come back!
Let’s hope not. The flowers are going crazy in the sunshine and even some of my shrubs are starting to bud with new leaves.
Just spotted a small bunch of flowers at the top end of my tree! 😳
Lovely selection of camellias! 🙂
Just a few of the ones in flower.
So beautiful! You are right: it is all happening now!
Just spent the day out in the garden, weeding and tidying up and pressure washing the patio! Got to make the most of the dry days! I will probably be crippled tomorrow though 😨
It would be glorious to see 500 varieties of beautiful camellias. I have one in my garden!
I love camellias, and this is a great selection of shots. I’m glad spring is arriving for you — and pleased we’re entering autumn with hopefully lower humidity.
They are all very pretty, but I think my favourite is the first one in the second row in the first gallery – a pale flecked pink one.
Your camellias are a sight for eyes thirsty for spring colors. These will grow over in Western Washington state but not on our side of the Cascade Mountains. Sadly. I miss these from living and growing up in the Deep South. Thank you for your picture of hope. Yes, spring should be just around the corner — just taking its time to get here.
I love your choice of camellias. I have tried to grow them here but no flowers so far. Just too hot I think.. The sasanqua is a particular favourite. Is that what that single white one is?
One of the single whites is ‘Cornish Snow’ which is a hybrid (cuspidata × saluenensis). Camellia like ericaceous soil and shady locations, particularly shaded from afternoon sun, so I guess you could grow one in a container if you have a shady spot. Sasanqua types flower here in the autumn. They all like feeding during the summer months and well watering to get the flower buds to set.
Good advice. I’ll give it an extra feed. It’s in the shade and well watered. Healthy looking but no flowers.
Food might help with the buds then.