Floral Gens 
23 
from China 
LOT 4, FIMBRIATA ALBA 
Said to be a sport from ALBA PLENA, this lovely full double white, with 
serrated petals was imported from China 1816. While old in commerce, and accepted 
as one of the finest of imbricated white Camellias, stock of this variety is scarce. 
Blooms normally from November to February, with flowers full four inches in 
diameter. A variety every Camellia connoisseur needs. 
LOT 10, CHEERFUL 
Among cut flower growers of Camellias in the North, CHEERFUL is the accepted 
name for our Lot 10. A truly cheerful, full double, imbricated pink, with petals 
of wax-like texture and enchanting beauty. Flowers, 2M> to 3 inches across. Blooms 
very freely, December thru March setting numerous buds. 
Catalogue descriptions as well as letters received from various growers of 
Camellias from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast, indicates at least four or five 
distinct varieties of Camellias sold by name of CHEERFUL. Some of these varieties 
are simple singles, others semi-doubles, double pink striped with white, one variety 
is described as double red, another a peony form red, and to add to this confusion, 
CHEERFULNESS is a catalogue name applied to a bright pink variety sold locally. 
The faultless beauty and perfect outlines of Lot 10 Camellia makes it a valuable 
acquisition to the most select collection of finer varieties of Camellias and ?it should 
not be confused with inferior varieties sold elsewhere as CHEERFUL. 
LOT 11 
AUST1LL PINK, local name for single to semi-double insignificant form bright 
pink flower, having yellow anthered stamens. Not worth space in a conservatory, 
but makes a colorful showing in winter gardens of the South. 
LOT 13, Correct Name Unk nown 
In 1929, we bought from New York a Camellia named GRANDIFLORA, which 
proved to be the same as grown here for a number of years as our Lot 13. In Florida 
and a few other southern nurseries this variety is offered as HORKAN, while in one 
section of Georgia, it is generally known as RENE CAMPBELL, the name of a negro 
cook (now dead) who owned a plant, and allowed nurserymen to propagate from it. 
VARIABILIS is still another variety name under which this Camellia is often 
sold. Frankly, VARIABILIS represents the best descriptive name, because of its 
capricious habits of producing simple single flowers, semi-doubles, and rather full 
peony forms, all on the same plant. 
Color and color markings are variable. White petals with pink stripes and 
blotches prevail, although occasionally solid pink as well as pure white flowers will 
be found on old specimen plants. Blooms freely November to March, tolerating wide 
temperature fluctuation, with flowers up to 4 inches in diameter. Desirable as a 
garden variety as well as conservatory plant. 
LOT 18 
JARVIS RED is the generally accepted name of this semi-double red Camellia. 
Named by a local nurseryman after a family living near his place of business, and 
from whom he secured stock for propagation purpose. 
It is also sold under such names as CROWLEY’S, WILLIAM’S, BRAUN’S and 
BICKLEY’S RED. All of which represent local names of owners of older plants than 
that of the Jarvis family. One of the common garden varieties, free flowering, having 
20 to 33 petals, flowers reaching maximum size of 4 inches in diameter. 
LOT 19 
So far as we know, this is a nameless orphan in the Camellia tribe. We are 
unwilling to christen it, and offer it “as is”, by our Lot Number 19. 
Semi-double, informal red, with individual flowers varying in color from bright 
clear red to deep crimson. There is a variation in number and arrangement of petals. 
Blooms 3 to 3 % inches in diameter, flowering December to March, tolerating our 
coldest winter weather. A variety recommended for either garden planting or to 
be grown in sunporch or greenhouse where the temperature is not under control. 
LOT 24 
The pseudo MRS. ABBY WILDER. Wherever Camellias are sold, this fraudulently 
named variety is usually to be found in every nursery. Described as “Peony shaped 
white flowers, medium to large, with tiny splashes of pink; compact and good grower.” 
Its a violation of law to do an interstate business in mis-named Camellias. If 
you bought a Camellia under the name of MRS. ABBY WILDER, from an out of 
state nursery, described as above, you have recourse for justice by making a complaint 
to the Federal Trade Commisison. The true Mrs. ABBY WILDER is not a peony form. 
It is a full double, imbricated flower of ranuncula form. 
It was written on tablets of jade: “One man tells a falsehood, one hundred repeat 
it as the truth.” So runs an old Chinese proverb. 
A local nurseryman propagated tens of thousands of the peony form flower first 
mentioned. He secured his cuttings from the president of a local college where the 
parent trees grow, with the understanding they would be rooted on equal shares. 
“So sorry”, none rooted, he reported. The truth is, they did root and he had them 
growing by the thousands in his field. All of which reminds one of another old 
Chinese saying: “One can hold a Japanese to a bargain as easily as one can hold a 
slippery catfish on a gourd.” 
These Camellias were sold thru-out the country as MRS ABBY WILDER, and 
the purchasers resold their plants in good faith, by this name. 
This accounts for the widespread distribution and perplexing confusion of 
nomenclature of Camellia names, including this variety. So you can’t pin too much 
faith in catalogue names of Camellias unless authority for their accuracy is cited 
In this case, the perpetuator of reckless naming, brags, in his catalogue: “We are 
fortunate possessor of Nouvelle Iconographies des Camellias, published in 1840-1860. 
with more than five hundred natural colored illustrations with NAMES and we will 
follow their names as far as possible.” We also have these rare volumes. 
The monographs on Camellias referred to, happen to contain two excellent 
colored illustrations with full description of the flower and the history of its 
introduction by Marshal P. Wilder, president of the Mass. Hort. Soc. at that time. 
Bailey’s Cyclopedia of Horticulture also illustrates the true MRS. ABBY WILDER, 
which he owns. This is only one of the numerous discrepancies in Camellia names 
he has distributed in the nursery trade. 
Some one said: “A thief can be watched, but a liar is the most contemptible 
person who breathes.” 
Sometime we think old King David was looking into the future when he wrote 
in the 116 Psalms, the 11th verse: “ . . . All men are liars.” 
LOT 24 (Continued) 
Just a word about Lot 24, the so-called fictitious named MRS. ABBY WILDER. 
That is, peony form. As a greenhouse variety, the flowers develop perfectly. Outdoors, 
buds and flowers are usually badly bruised causing the petals to be damaged and turn 
brown, if there is the slightest breeze. As a garden variety, we don’t think it worth 
space, except as a broadleaf evergreen. For this reason we have not propagated this 
variety since 1928, and do not think it is a Camellia Pkely to exrite much admiration. 
We do have a few plants of the true MRS. ABBY WILDER, and incidentally 
the parent plant was sold by Mr. Wilder more than 90 years ago for $500.00. Our 
stock is not for sale. 
LOT 27, IL TRAMENTO 
The correct spelling of this name has not been checked in the many old Camellia 
books at LONGVIEW library. Offhand, we do not recall the history of its introduction. 
It is one of the finest, of rare, satiny, wax salmon-pink flowers with white blotches 
variegations in the full double, imbricated, raunucula form flowers. 
Flowers full 4 inches in diameter, free blooming under garden or conservatory 
culture. 
Of all Camellias we have grown we know this is one of the finest and most 
beautiful varieties of the entire Camellia family. Unfortunately, we have never 
been able to supply the insistent demand for this variety to both the florist trade as 
well as Camellia connoisseurs who search the world over for fine varieties. 
LOT 36 
An unnamed Camellia, a blossom of which was exhibited at a flower show 
suburban to Mobile and awarded a blue ribbon. Deep pink in color, simple single 
to semi-double in form, free blooming in spite of our coldest winter weather, we 
can recommend this variety for both conservatory culture and for outdoor garden 
planting in mild wintered sections. Flowers reach ultimate diameter of 4 inches 
of radiant color. Our stock is limited because we sold the parent plant to a South 
Carolina nursery. 
LOT 40 
A full double satiny silk tint pink, with petals arranged in imbricated geometrical 
formality. A choice variety of outstanding merit. Blooms mid-season to late, with 
flowers 3 to 3Vi inches in diameter. Limited stock available. A collector’s item, 
worth many times the price we get for this rare variety. 
LOT 41, CANDIDESSIMA 
There are two distinct strains of this variety, known in commerce. One is free 
blooming, as illustrated and described earlier in this catalogue. Hallidays PRACTICAL 
CAMELLIA CULTURE, published 1880, describes both strains, one of which is a 
shy-blooming variety. Among our no good, junk varieties, we have a few of these 
shy-blooming CANDIDESSIMA Camellias. The individual flowers of this variety, 
if and when it does set buds, are identical with those of the free blooming strain. 
Naturally, we can’t recommend you to buy this Camellia if you hope for floral 
inspiration. We happen to know of two nurseries in the South who are still selling 
the shy blooming strain of CANDIDESSIMA, so if you should buy this variety by 
name elsewhere, be sure to specify you want the free blooming strain, if you wish 
to avoid disappointment. 
LOT 42 
A Camellia frequently sold as SARAH FROST, LADY CAMPBELL. WILDERS 
ROSE as well as other counterfeit cognomens. We believe it is the well known old 
HENRI LA FAVRE, a popular variety of a century ago. 
Regardless of the true name of this Camellia, its merit lies in its vigorous growth, 
free and early blooming qualities as a full double imbricated, ranuncula form flower. 
Deep rose-pink flowers predominate, although bright red with white variegations 
are not uncommon. Blossoms 2Vz to 3 inches across, blooming November thru 
February. A symmetrical, robust grower. 
LOT 44, PINK IMPERFECTION, (not PINK PERFECTION) 
“If you’ve got money to throw to the wolf for rotten plants not worth a damn, 
Come buy a Camellia of this variety, and be a sucker, my little lamb.” 
—These lines were submitted by one of my correspondents. 
(not a customer, however.) 
The name PINK IMPERFECTION, purely is a descriptive quality of its poor 
habit in failing to open the numerous flower buds. Now and then ... if and when . . . 
a bud does unfold its petals, a beautiful flower is revealed. 
Camellias like these should not be offered for sale. The plants we offer are 
ten years old, propagated from a vigorous growing specimen without knowing at that 
time of its poor blooming qualities. We have sold a number of these plants to 
individuals as well as nurseries who used them for understock on which they grafted 
better varieties. 
Offered only as Camellias, without merit or hope that you will be rewarded with 
awe inspiring floral beauty. Thank goodness, we have only a few of these “junk” 
plants on hand. Please reread the four line verse, above, and be a sucker, if you 
send us your money. 
LOT 45, MONARCH 
The name MONARCH is a meaningless cognomen in Camellia catalogues. The 
true MONARCH was first described and illustrated by Halley, the originator, in the 
Florists Journal, May 1st issue, 1842, and later in Verschaffelts monograph. It is 
totally unlike the MONARCHS sold by nurserymen who have adopted this name by 
careless and ignorant copying from catalogues. 
Our stock is limted to 12 or 15 plants 10 years old, and we have not had time 
to propagate additional plants. For this reason we are not offering plants of the 
true MONARCH for sale at this time. 
LOT 50, SNOW ON MOUNTAIN 
This Camellia sasanqua, a Japanese species, has been illustrated in all of our 
previous catalogues. 
Space does not permit showing a picture of the flower in this issue. It is a 
fragrant, pure white flower, 3 to 4 inches in diameter, with 40 to 170 petals and 
petaloids and golden anthered stamens. 
Blooms freely October thru December. The dried foliage is distinctly aromatic 
and frequently is added to tea to increase the bouquet. In juvenile stage, the plants 
have a rampant, horizontal growth, but later develops to a compact specimen. 
Washington, D. C., Nov. 24-1937.—The two Camellias arrived in top condition 
and one bloom on Lot 50 was still fragrant, affording me satisfaction and delight.—T.G. 
“He who goes into a garden to look for spiders and cobwebs 
will doubtless find them; but he who goes out to seek flowers 
may return to his house with them blooming in his bosom. 9 * 
