How beautiful, what an attractive arrangement. Thanks for sharing. =)

Your camellia came back from its roots within the last 10-11 years, right? So it's really just reaching its (second) maturity now. The regular watering due to your sister's rose probably helped, but my guess is that it would have eventually bloomed anyway. Camellias are not fragile plants, and only need regular watering when first getting established- during their first 2 years. I don't know where you are, but in places with moderate temperatures and rainfall, older camellias can be completely ignored and will still bloom for months each winter. Camellias do respond well to a little attention such as regular watering during dry spells, a good mulch (pine straw is commonly used here in the Southeast), and an annual feeding after they bloom. Also, they are shade-loving, but do need some sunlight to bloom well. Your camellia is obviously older than 10 years, but has recently been putting its energy into re-establishing its roots and leaves- it's only just getting around to producing flowers, and my guess is that you'll have more and more flowers each year as it reaches maturity for the second time... Since your camellia has only recently become active again, its blooming "schedule" may not be re-set yet. Some camellias are already blooming now, but most bloom in winter, and some not until spring. That said, camellias seem to be a bit delayed here with buds and blooms. We had an unusually mild winter here last year- perhaps that has something to do with it. I also wanted to add that camellias aren't quite like once-blooming roses. A mature healthy camellia will bloom for more than a few weeks- most will bloom at least 2-3 months before quitting, and some will even go 4-5 months... Sorry to ramble on- I hope you'll post a photo of the flowers when it does bloom.

I should have added: I take garden bouquets to friends who are hospitalized or home-bound. We get the the tiny bouquets made, of all kinds flowers blooming at the time, to test what will keep the longest for them. A couple of weeks ago, at a bride's request for a bouquet from my gardens, I made a bride's table bouquet. Lucky thing it was right at the time my Muscadet lilium were blooming--white oriental lilies with small red/fuchsia dots in the throat. I couldn't find the right container, but did find a long narrow ugly brown one for the long narrow table. About 15 coats of white paint and it was ready to go. The neck flared a bit, so I added a necklace of braided pearls with wire ones sprayng out in every direction. Filled it with the huge lilies (about 10) and one starting to open bud for a bit of contrasting form. I topped it all off with pics I made of wired sprays of pearls for a bit of height. It received lots of very positive comments: "You should make a business of it" "They're prettier than the professionals." I had been so nervous about it--not the kind of reaction I like from gardening. I had so feared everyone would think it not up to par that this pleased me greatly. It was the only arrangement the bride wanted to take home. Not to brag, but...chuckle gramma jan

It is getting cold. I just went out and cut yellow roses to make a bouquet with some bittersweet that my neighbor gave me. I will finish getting the Indian Summer rudbekia and the last red salvia now before the freeze comes. It will be interesting to see how the winter flowering plants come through - winter jasmine and Dawn viburnum are in full bloom now. A lot of primroses are flowering also.