Just when we thought New York was entering into the dark, cold glum of winter, Madison Square Park’s camellias begin to bloom. Winter blooming camellias begin to blossom from October to March. Coined ‘the rose of the winter,’ they are a welcome sight for horticulturalists and visitors alike. 

The genus extends from the Himalayas to south of Indonesia, and has been a staple in Asian culture since the 11th century. The red blooms of Camellia japonica are found in ceramic artworks and in paintings, and the species Camellia sinensis has been dried and used for tea for centuries. Camellias made first their appearance in New York in 1770, via William Prince’s extensive collection housed at the Linnaean Botanic Garden. 

However, it is important to note that there are hardy camellias, which can withstand cold temperatures, and non-hardy camellias, which must be in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. Hardy camellias are broadleaf evergreen shrubs that must be planted in a partially shaded, sheltered spot in the garden. Younger specimens may need to don a winter coat of burlap to protect themselves from the winter winds for their first few seasons in the garden, but these sturdy shrubs can live for up to 200 years. The oldest known specimen was planted in 1347, and still stands today at the Panlong Monastery in China. 

The specimens you may see in bloom at Madison Square Park are Camellia x ‘Winters Hope’ and Camellia x ‘Winters Star’, with blooms of delicate pink and white petals and bright yellow stamens. Camellia sasanqua ‘Kanjiro’ was just planted this April by the Farragut Monument, and has already settled in nicely, gifting us with a striking dark pink bloom. 

You may be wondering what ‘x’ stands for, and in this case, it signifies that these camellias are interspecific crosses between two species. For example, Camellia x ‘Winters Star’,’ which is in full bloom near the 23rd street entrance, is a cross between Camellia oleifera and Camellia hiemalis. These hybrids are a result of Dr. William Ackerman’s work at the U.S. National Arboretum, who strived to create incredibly cold hardy camellias after a huge loss of the collection due to an unusually cold winter.