Pretty in pink: Striking Hilton Head-area blossoms may only bloom for a few more weeks
Spring has sprung on Hilton Head, and while much of the island’s lush flora will be coming to life soon, one blushing beauty will be saying farewell until winter.
Camellia plants, sometimes called “the rose of winter,” are beloved by many in the Lowcountry for their striking pink blossoms. Most varieties bloom from late winter to early spring, offering a pop of color to the island’s landscape during the colder months.
The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn is home to the island’s largest and most diverse collection of camellia plants, boasting over 130 varieties.
Time is running out to check out these magenta majesties before the season comes to a close.
Many of varieties growing in the museum’s camellia garden have already begun droop, but some are still in full bloom. Most varieties will stop blooming by mid-March or early April.
“The sooner you come out, the better,” said Rex Garniewicz, president and CEO of the Coastal Discovery Museum.
There are over 20,000 varieties of camellias, and the flowers range from bright pink to white to even yellow. They grow well in Hilton Head’s temperate climate, and thrive in partial shade.
Garniewicz encouraged plant lovers to come take stroll through the museum’s camellia garden, which offers winding paths and plenty of shady benches amidst a grove of live oak trees.
Different varieties bloom at different times, so there’s always something different to see, he said.
But don’t be tempted to stop and smell the camellias — most varieties have no fragrance.
Growing them at home
If you want to grow them at home, the Coastal Discovery Museum offers a programs during summer on propagating camellias, where visitors can take home clippings from the garden.
It’s best to grow your own plant from a clipping, so you’ll get to see the blooms in the first of second year. You can plant them from seeds, of course, but it could take ten years to see any blossoms, Garniewicz said.
The best time to plant camellias is in the winter. They grow well in the shade, and love to grow underneath trees.
Be warned — you won’t be the only mammal that’s fond of these beautiful plants. You’ll have to protect your young camellia plants from hungry deer, who see the flowers as a tasty snack.
Blushing pink blossoms aren’t the only feature the camellia plant has to offer.
The plants are native to Asia, where they were cultivated for thousands of years as a tea plant. If you’re in need of a quick caffeine fix, you can make tea out of the leaves at home.
But maybe some things are better seen and not brewed.
“It’s not as good as the tea I’ve bought in the store,” quipped Garniewicz.
This story was originally published March 8, 2025 at 3:41 PM.
