GLORY-FLOWER OF THE SOUTH— 


By DR. G. J. HALL 
dMbGLUIds 
Exotic New Varieties, Fall-to-Spring Bloom 
Make Camellias a “Must” for Every Southern Yard 
Because our Sacramento Valley in 
California is similar in so many ways 
to much of Texas, experiences of Sac- 
ramento growers should help make gar- 
deners in Texas equally successful and 
proud of their camellias. In reality, ca- 
mellias are a hardy plant and should be 
just as much a part of Texas landscap- 
ing and gardening as they are in Sac- 
ramento. 
In Sacramento the temperature ex- 
tremes are from a minimum of 22 D.F. 
to a 108 D.F. high during our hot dry 
summers, yet it is known as “the Ca- 
mellia city.”” Camellias have proved that 
with a little protection they can stand 
almost any amount of heat and can be 
successfully maintained during freezing 
weather and in snow climates. Freezing 
weather delays the blooming season but 
does not damage the plants. Therefore, 
those who lose prized plants of other 
species should replace them with camel- 
lias and be assured of not losing them 
due to cold weather. 
Major Points of Beauty 
In Texas there already are some very 
large camellia collections, One East 
Texas man is developing “the greatest 
collection of big camellia trees” in the 
country. Because camellias are so hardy 
they are ideal for the backyard gar- 
dener, and the general landscaping plan 
can be developed with camellias as the 
major points of beauty. 
One can be a real collector without 
buying hundreds of plants. A definite 
plan to begin or to increase a collection 
must consider (1) blooming season, (2) 

form of blooms, (8) complete color 
range during each part of the blooming 
season, (4) maintaining one’s likes and 
dislikes regardless of the views of oth- 
ers, and (5) obtaining the rarer ones 
only after the collection is balanced or 
because the flower is much finer of that 
type than the others. 
For those whose garden space is 
limited, obtaining double or multiple 
grafts (with two or more “harmoniz- 
ing” varieties on one root) has become 
increasingly popular. Some propaga- 
tors have many combinations and will 
make double-grafted plants to order. 
The Sasanqua species may bloom as 
early as August and September, and the 
Left to right: High Hat, Cap- 
ital City, Mrs. Howard Asper, 
Ville de Nantes. Below is Pax 
and all photos here are fur- 
nished through the courtesy of 
the author, Dr. Geo. J. Hall. 



Japonicas from October to May or June, 
thereby producing flowers of “the Royal 
Family of Evergreens” for many winter 
months when no others are blooming. 
Even better, the beginner can be as con- 
tented and have prize-winning-quality 
flowers as successfully as the wealthiest 
collector. At present prices, the small 
garden can contain as many camellias 
as roses—and camellias continue to in- 
crease in value every year! Indeed ca- 
mellias are among the least expensive 
plants to buy for future value. 

