If a family has an old person in it, it possesses 
a jewel.—Chinese proverb. If you have an old 
Camellia, you possess a jewel of florieulture. 
v 
LOT 1, SARAH FROST 
LOT 
16 
"One generation plants Camellias which 
many future generations enjoy." 
—Chinese Proverb. 
VS 
The true SARAH FROST is a variety of real merit. 
Unfortunately, four, similar but inferior varieties are sold 
under this name, by Southern nurserymen. 
If you buy one of the mis-named SARAH FROST 
Camellias, you are sure to be disappointed. 
Originating as a seedling in Philadelphia, about 80 years 
ago, SARAH FROST was described April 1847 in The 
HORTICULTURIST & RURAL TASTE, Vol. 1, No. 10, Page 
514 as growing in the grenehouse of M. P. Wilder, President 
Mass. Hort. Society, and said to be a fine, regular flower. 
English commentators, usually more critical of anything 
originating in America, were most charitable in describing 
SARAH FROST. 
*-a,/st' There is character and charm that retains fastidiousness 
and Oriental elegance in this informal variety of Camellia. 
For the sake of accuracy, we do not offer it under a horti ¬ 
cultural name. In fact, we have been unable to find an 
authority for the many names it is sold under, by various 
nurseries in the South. 
For example, it is frequently offered as CHRISTMAS 
GLORY, ORIENT ALA, ARAJISHI, HONNEUR de 
AMER1QUE, ROSE EMERY, (sometimes spelled ROSE 
EMRY), and lately we find several nurseries cataloging 
it as ROSE ENEMY. Perhaps they were thinking of wars 
to interpret these last three names, it appears to be a 
corruption of ROSE ANEMONE. 
Seventy-five years ago, The Florist & Pomologist, 
published in England, said in part about SARAH FROST: 
•*If symmetry of form be a merit in a Camellia, and 
that it is so we suppose few if any of our readers will 
More than likely ANEMONEFLORA RUBRA was the 
name it was introduced to commerce, many years ago. 
question, then assuredly the variety we now illustrate must 
take a very high position amongst the multitudinous forms 
of this noble flower to be found in our gardens. It is said 
to be of American origin. Our attention was, however, 
called to it by Mr. Standish, of Ascot, by whom, we believe, 
it was purchased on the continent; and it has been 
exhibited by him in the competitions among Camellias at 
the spring shows of the Royal Horticultural Society, both 
in 1862 and 1863. If ever there was a case in which the 
use of compasses to describe the outline of a flower was 
permissible to a flower-painter, it must surely be in the case 
of this Camellia, whose entire conformation is so even and 
regular that it may be taken as a model of perfection in form 
. , . The colour is one of those pale carmine roses which are 
not uncommon amongst Camellias; and there is in many petals 
an indication of a pallid stripe extending from the point 
downward. What, however, most attracts attention in this 
flower, is the perfect regularity with which the petals are 
disposed, and the circularity and evenness of outline which 
results therefrom; while its fullness secures a profile semi- 
spherical. It is, beyond this, a flower of good substance, and, 
therefore, one which retains both its form and colour for a 
long state of perfection.” 
Flowers 3 to 3y 2 inch in diameter, blooms freely ’Xmas 
thru February. A strong, vigorous grower, tolerating sub¬ 
freezing weather, in southern gardens, but attains perfection 
in blooms in a “cool” moist greenhouse. 
In CAMELLIA BRITTANICA, published 1825, Edward 
Buckingham in writing about Camellia names, said: “In 
giving each (Camellia) a distinctive appellation, I consider 
it an act of mercy to adopt such names as are easily 
pronounced.” At that time less than thirty distinct varieties 
of Camellias were known, yet confusion in variety names 
existed. 
In spite of these aliases, it is a unique variety. Individual 
flowers vary in form and structure, and even the color 
changes from deep crimson to rose pink, depending on the 
degree of acidity of soil in which the plant is grown and 
the amount of sunshine reaching the plant. Flowers 2y 2 to 
3 inches in diameter. 
The parent plant, grown outdoors in this county, blooms 
freely from Christmas, tolerating sub-freezing weather with 
little injury to the flower buds. 
A desirable greenhouse or garden variety, producing an 
abundance of flowers suitable corsage or hair decoration. 
Cuthbert, Ga.—“About six years ago, I 
bought eight small Camellias from you. 
They proved to be the finest varieties I 
have in my extensive collection. A 
Th^masville nurseryman recently offered 
'me $200.U0 for these eight Camellias, 
which I refused.” 
Puyallup. Wash. April 6-1940 
Camellias shipped me arrived in excellent 
condition. Many friends remarked about their 
good condition for having been shipped so far and 
for so little cost for express. I want to thank 
you for sending such fine plants. E. D. M. 
7 / Longview" Crichton, /f/a. 
Robl. O. Rub el, Jr., Camellia Specialist 
