On 20/10/2013 09:57, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-10-19 20:58:53 +0100, Jeff Layman said:

http://tinypic.com/r/cnuwj/5

Photographed yesterday in Palmerston Park, Southampton. Apologies for
the pic size and quality (mobile phone was playing up).

The shrub was about 2 metres high and 1.5 - 2 across. Flowers were
about 7 cm across, with very prominent stamens. No scent.

It is very attractive, especially as not very much flowers at this time
of year (but I've seen quite a few shrubs flowering at the wrong time
recently). What is it?

It's hard to tell from the pic but it could be a Camelia, flowering
either very early or in a second and less vigorous flush. Our Hamamelis
mollis is flowering now still with half dead leaves on it!

Good point - I hadn't thought of it being a Camellia. Is there one with
such variegated leaves? The leaves are fairly small, too. As it is a
small pic have you tried copying the image into a viewer and magnifying
it? It might help.

Guess I might have to do another trip in and get a decent photo or two!

--

Jeff