A Camellia in Memory
A Camellia in Memory
Australian Sogetsu Teachers Association sought to honour the introduction of Ikebana to Australia by Mr Norman Sparnon fifty years ago. After considering erecting a statue or a sculptural shape in his honour it was realized we could not use it with the love and memory of Mr Sparnon when creating our arrangements.
The Sydney Sogetsu Branch was extremely fortunate to be introduced to Mr Bob Cherry, (owner of Paradise Plants, Kulnura, NSW) five years ago. Bob’s renowned love for camellias and his interest in Ikebana has resulted in the creation of the beautiful Camellia Japonica ‘Reflecting Wave, Ei Ha’ named in memory of Norman Sparnon. ‘Ei Ha’ is the registered Japanese flower name received by Norman when awarded his practicing teachers diploma from Sogetsu School in Tokyo, Japan.
Bob’s propagation programme for a new camellia takes about seven years from first sighting to the gestation of a plant being ready for market. Over 3,000-hand pollinations are preformed each year. 1,000 successful results are collected and set out to grow. The next stage selects about 3 new species, which are allocated to grow for about 4 years before being for market. ‘Reflecting Wave, Ei Ha’ is now the growing stage with the release date for the ‘50 Golden years of Sogetsu, Australia and New Zealand’ celebrations in May 2010.
‘Reflecting Wave, Ei Ha’ is a hybrid camellia, which is slow growing, small compact shrub suitable for small gardens or courtyards. The small pale pink flower with long yellow stamens (which do not go brown) remains attached to the stem for a good duration of the arrangement, which is enjoyed for many days.
The Sydney Sogetsu Branch always enjoys exhibiting at the Paradise Garden Open Weekends: Saturday 2 and Sunday 3rd May, and 1st and 2nd August. Twelve (12) hectares of amazing gardens contain thousands of Camellias, unusual trees and stunning flowers. The many vistas and vegetation are a delight for Ikebana artists, florists, gardeners and photographers alike.
For more information about these wonderful gardens please visit: