Warm winter shortens bloom season for most Middle Georgia camellias

FORT VALLEY -- Camellias that generally burst forth in red, pink and white blooms into early spring across Middle Georgia are expected to see a shortened bloom season this year.

That's because an unseasonably warm winter has caused many camellias to bloom early, said William Khoury, a horticulturist at Massee Lane Gardens, where the camellias are now in full bloom.

"The unusually warm winter we've had this year has caused a lot of the camellias to start blooming a little early," Khoury said. "Here at Massee Lane, (they) are running about a month ahead of schedule ... and we're probably going to end our season around the end of February.

"Usually it extends into March and sometimes April. I don't think that's going to be the case this year," he said.

The warm weather didn't affect the quality of the blooms very much, he said, but the occasional freezes in January and again this month did kill some blooms. Heavy rains damaged others.

The vast majority of the beloved flowers fared well, but the blooms may not be around as long to enjoy, Khoury said.

"It's going to vary from area to area and from cultivar to cultivar," said Khoury, explaining that a cultivar is a variety of the camellia plant produced by selective breeding.

Judy Moss, who lives in Milner and visited Massee Lane Gardens with her husband, Arthur, last week, said she expects her camellias at home to continue to do well.

"Most of them are just right now in bloom," she said, cradling a bloom that fell off into her hand. "The flowers that were already out kind of got damaged, but the blooms are looking real good."

Moss purchased three different types of camellias at Massee Lane to take home.

"We just do it as a hobby," she said. "I just love 'em."

While this season may not last as long, those visiting Massee Lane will have the opportunity see a lot of varieties in bloom, said Camille Bielby, marketing specialist for the gardens.

"We have a huge collection," Bielby said. "There are a lot of camellias out there that you will not see anywhere else in the United States and certainly not in this area.

"Because of that we stay open seven days a week for the whole month of February," she said.

In addition to rows and rows of different types of camellias on the grounds, Massee Lane also has a greenhouse full of camellias, including a rare yellow variety from Vietnam.

For those wishing to view the camellias on the grounds, Khoury said the best time is now.

"I'm expecting the bulk of it to be over with before the end of the month," Khoury said. "We may have a few stragglers into the early part of March, but I don't see it lasting much further than the middle of March.

"This is Mother Nature. There's not much you can do about this except enjoy them while you have them."

Activities for this month's Festival of Camellias at Massee Lane include self-guided tours, workshops and group tours led by Khoury.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, admission to the gardens is free -- a tradition for the first Saturday of February, Khoury said.

February hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1-4:30 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors over age 55 and free for children. A special membership offer also is available.

The gardens are located off Ga. 49 about 5.5 miles south of Fort Valley. For more information, visit https://www.americancamellias.com/massee-lane-gardens or call 478-967-2358 or 877-422-6355.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559, or find her on Twitter@becpurser.

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Warm winter shortens bloom season for most Middle Georgia camellias ."