Hardy camellias reward the gardener with striking and profuse blooms when the rest of the garden sleeps. This encyclopedia is the definitive guide to these beautiful and varied flowering plants.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Always and Blackberry Winter: “An intoxicating blend of mystery, history and romance, this book is hard to put down.”—Real Simple On the eve of World War II, the last surviving specimen of a camellia plant known as the Middlebury Pink lies secreted away on an English country estate. Flora, an amateur American botanist, is contracted by an international ring of flower thieves to infiltrate the household and acquire the coveted bloom. Her search is at once brightened by new love and threatened by her discovery of a series of ghastly crimes. More than half a century later, garden designer Addison takes up residence at the manor, now owned by the family of her husband, Rex. The couple’s shared passion for mysteries is fueled by the enchanting camellia orchard and an old gardener’s notebook. Yet its pages hint at dark acts ingeniously concealed. If the danger that Flora once faced remains very much alive, will Addison share her fate? Fans of Downton Abbey should rush to pick up this novel.

The Camellia Garden Field Guide is a layperson's guide to camellia-growing fun. This evergreen shrub, besides producing the world's most popular drink (tea), is prized by gardeners for its winter-blooming flowers. The authors are two accidental camellia enthusiasts who wrote this book for people like themselves, who once were novices seeking help with choosing and growing these amazing plants, as well as for new owners of old gardens needing guidance on restoring their treasure. Written in everyday style, this book is filled with fun facts about the camellia's Asian heritage, its royal European pedigree, and its American rebellious streak (Boston Tea party) which reverberates to this day. The authors offer great tips on getting started, building a collection, selecting camellia plants (including must-have varieties), restoring old plants, ideas for displaying blooms, and directions for year-round maintenance and care.