c. sassaqua 'yuletide'. C japonicas won't bloom for me.

'Yuletide' is actually a C. vernalis cultivar. C. sasanqua has the advantages of a willowy growth habit and floral fragrance, plus the first ones to bloom come out in October, before inclement weather starts (camellia flowers are prone to frost and rain damage).

I have a huge japonica which is pink but can't say I really like it, though the blooms are lovely, because it is a once-bloomer. I would like to say I really like Yuletide and Apple Blossom but I am not very consistent with fertilizer and water so haven't gotten any blooms yet, though last year I had buds and should have had flowers but they either fell off or the deer came and ate them off, take your pick. I've seen a japonica with red and white striped flowers I would go for if I had room for another one.

Seeing camellias apparently suffering in the seasonal aridity at this time, as are many other local landscape plants. However, they are known for usually holding up better here than many other monsoon climate favorites frequently planted here, where we have the reverse annual precipitation pattern from what they are used to.

Okay, speak up you C. japonica fans (if you're out there, heh heh). Any favorite types?

If not, I'll just cruise the nurseries this fall and winter and do some research online and in books, but I'd love to have recommendations from some Pacific Northwesterners.

Good suggestion on the 'Yuletide' Molly, I've seen it in catalogs and nurseries now and then, so I'll definitely get one. I usually see it listed as C. sassanqua too, though after seeing bboy's comment I looked it up online and see a few places listing it as a vernalis cultivar. I'll just refer to it as 'Yuletide' for now. :)

Thanks again for the replies,
Grant

You asked for online sources - Camellia Forest has a HUGE selection. http://camforest.com/index.html

I'm also looking to plant a few camellias this fall so I'm hoping you get some more good suggestions! I'm going to try them with the large polymer crystals to help offset the dryness of the shaded hillside where I want to plant them. Using them has helped a great deal with my hydrangeas and other water sensitive plants. My watering schedule is much more manageable now.

Thanks for the Camellia forest link--I will check them out. Have you (or anyone reading along) ordered from them?

I've got my eyes on a couple of japonicas in some catalogs, though I'll try to limit myself since they send pretty small plants compared to much larger ones we can purchase locally for about the same price. Still, it's fun to get some types that might be harder to find locally.

Thanks again for the link. I'm glad the polymers are helping you (and your plants) out so well. Good tip.

Take care and happy gardening,
Grant

If I remember correctly, the Seattle Arboretum has a lot of camellias. I only saw it when visiting so I'm not sure. It might have quite a range of cultivars to look at. Perhaps none would be blooming at this time of year?

Good tip on the arboretum (I was just there this past weekend, but didn't even think about coming back to check up on the camellias, so thanks for suggesting it). I'll definitely plan on going back during camellia bloom season. The winter garden looks like it will be really fun in winter as well (hence the name, right).

Thanks again,
Grant

The camellia collection is mostly around Arboretum Drive, on the ridge near the south end of the park.

C. x williamsii 'Donation' is a standout. Many other selections have been named from the same cross.

For a list of some good camellias, with brief descriptions (after clicking on name of cultivar)...

Here is a link that might be useful: Royal Horticultural Society - RHS Horticultural Database

Thanks for the link and additional information. I've bookmarked the link and I added some "location" comments to my little plant notepad that I carry around in my pocket. I'll do some research so I can make (relatively) informed choices.

One of my neighbors has a truly magnificent sassanqua (presumably, but now you've got me wondering) espaliered against their wooden fence. I can't wait to see it bloom.

In the meantime, I just couldn't wait so I allowed myself one mail order camellia purchase. It's one of the newer super-hardy (for camellias anyway) types. I just like the blooms so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm sure I can find larger local specimens for less, but it was just a fun splurge for me.

Now I'll try to wait until camellia season. We'll see how successful I am. Link to my soon-to-be-delivered camellia below.

Thanks again,
Grant

Here is a link that might be useful: Camellia Ice Angels April Remembered