Some of the first shrubs to flower, each year, produce the best show

Magnolia buds are just bursting on the top picture. This single Camellia has a vibrant colouring but has dropped some buds. The Rhododendron is a shocking pink for this time of year but what showy flowers.

Magnolia

The Magnolia society promotes this astounding flowering shrub.

Camellia Bud Drop

• Unfortunately even healthy camellias particularly double flowered varieties may drop flower buds. When an excessively large number of buds have formed on the bush immature ones are shed.

• Very low winter temperatures may also be a cause of bud drop with tender cultivars.

• Some camellias bloom so late in certain areas that the new vigorous growth if shoots in spring causes many buds to abort.

• Where plump apparently normal buds drop it is usually due to excessive feeding, applying nitrogen fertilisers too late in the season or the result of a period of drought particularly in summer as buds are forming.

• Container-grown camellias are particularly vulnerable to bud drop, as are camellias planted against walls or close to trees due to inconsistant watering.

Mahonia flower even earlier. They rely on a strong scent to attract what insects are around on sunny winter days.