Today is the end of solar winter in Aotearoa – the six weeks either side of the winter solstice. The mornings are still chilly but the days are lengthening slowly.
The first to flower ahead of spring are our camellia japonica. We have six trees in a row, which I think are the Margaret Davis variety. The flowers are white with dark pink edges. The colours remind me of the pink-swirled disc you’re served in a satisfying bowl of ramen (narutomaki).
Camellia japonica 
Camellia japonica
kōwhai 