Microseason: Camellia Flower

WINTER

WINTER SIGNALS

CAMELLIA FLOWER

7 - 11 November

From late Autumn through early Summer, Tsubaki, or Camellia blossoms are seen across Japan. In a country with distinct microseasons, it’s rare for any plant to be enjoyed across the greater part of a single year.

Not only are Tsubaki strong and resilient, but because Japan started off with a few hundred native Tsubaki varietals, the spectrum allowed for a long flowering season.

Today, it is said that there are approximately 2200 varietals in Japan alone. The Tsubaki plant has serviced Japanese people for thousands of years as a vital material for living.

Each part of the plant is used. For tools, fuel, and oil. From the 1300s, Tsubaki supported the proliferation of tea ceremony as a prominent flower seen in flower arrangements and painted scrolls in the tea room.

With Tsubaki’s ever-increasing perceived value, gardeners began playing with hybrids, expanding the Tsubaki portfolio and securing Tsubaki’s place in Japanese culture.

Photo credit: Momoko Nakamura