Suggested Varieties 
Varieties that do well in the Sacra- 
mento area give equal enjoyment in 
similar climates. Therefore, a short list 
of our well-known, standard and newer 
varieties should be helpful in starting 
your Southwestern camellia collection 
or in adding varieties to balance the 
color and seasonal blooming ranges of 
a collection already started. 
Among the ‘well-known varieties” 
famous for their beauty and good be- 
havior over the years are: 
White—Amabilis, Dearest, Purity, Alba Plena. 
Pink—Akebono, Lady Clare, Pink Star, Kuma- 
saka, Pink Ball, Mrs. John Laing, Hugh Evans 
(Sasanqua). 
Red—Arajishi, C. M. Hovey, Mathotiana, 
Vedrine, Pope Pius IX, Emperor of Russia. 
Variegated—Bella Romana, Herme, Tricolor, 
Daikagura, Chandleri Elegans, Mikenjaku. 
Among the less-common but still well- 
known are: 
White—Fimbriata, Mrs. Wm. Thompson, Pax, 
White Dove (Sasanqua), Triphosa, Paul 
Howard's White. 
Pink—Debutante, Huntington Pink, Herme 
Pink, Lallarook, Rose Queen, Magnoliaflora 
(Southern), Showa M. Sakae (Sasanqua), Re- 
gina dei Giganti. 
Red—Governor Mouton, Glen 40, Mrs. Chas. 
Coble, Flame, Dr. Shepard, California, Cardinal 
Richelieu. 
Variegated—Daikagura (var), Finlandia Var., 
Gigantea, Peoniflora, Donckelaari, Colletti 
Maculata, Adolph Andusson var., Uncle Sam, 
Apple Blossom (saluenensis). 
You can obtain good descriptions of 
the above from many nursery catalogs 
and listings. There are some newer or 
rare varieties, however, that are not so 
easily found. For that reason, I am in- 
cluding their broader descriptions: (E, 
early blooming; M, mid-season; L, 
late): 
White—Maregarete MHertrieh, large formal 
double, M; Jennie Jones, large semi-double, M; 
White Empress, very large semi-double, E-M; 
Mother of Pearl, medium formal double with 
light pink throat, M; Yohei Haku; large formal 
double to peony form, E; Imura, large semi- 
double, M. 
Pink—Shin Akebono, pale, light pink, single, 
M; Mary Charlotte, light pink, medium large, 
flat anemoneform, M; Governor Earl Warren, 
large, hemispherical, semi-double, multi-centered, 
bright rose pink, M; Gen. Geo. Patton, bright 
pink, formal double, sport of Purity, M-L; 
Mrs. Howard Asper, very large, lotus-shaped, 
semi-double, light pink, M; High Hat, pale- 
pink, sport of Daikagura, E-M; Madam Hahn, 
bright pink, large, semi-double, M; Magnolia- 
flora, English, light pink, medium large, .semi- 
double, M. 
Red—Miss Sacramento—large, rose red single, 
large center of flat stamens, M; Capitol City, 
sports of Miss Sacramento, usually has large 
center of flat pink and white petaloids, M; 
Victory, rose red, large semi-double to peony- 
form, M; Ville de Nantes, deep red, large, 
semi-double, petals deeply fimbriated, M; Wood- 
ville Red, deep strawberry red, very large, semi- 
double to peony form, M; Fimbriata Superba, 
Crimson, large double with curled fimbriated 
petals, M-L; Robert E. Lee, Dark red with red 
stamens, irregular semi-double, M. 
Variegated—Tiara, orange red, large formal 
double to semi-double, M; Crepe Rossette, deep 
pink veined red, with white margined petals, 
large semi-double, E-L; No. 309, light rose pink, 
mottled and stippled white, medium large semi- 
double,M ; Kiyo Kano Ko var., medium, irregular 
double red with varying number white petals, 
M-L; King Lear, cherry red, marbled white, 
very large semi-double, considered sport of 
Finlandia Var., M; Ville de Nantes var, varie- 
gated form of Ville de Nantes, deep red spotted 
and marked with white, M. 
How to Grow Them 
From my viewpoint, the primary fac- 
tors in the growing of fine quality ca- 
mellias are these: first, a correctly pre- 
pared soil mixture containing proper 
amounts of sand, silt and humus (peat 
moss and acid leaf mold) ; second, care- 
ful use of a “balanced” acid fertilizer; 
and third, constant discriminating care 
in watering. It takes only a short time 
longer to water each plant properly, 
but it makes a great difference in 
health,. appearance, growth and even- 
tual blooms. The camellia which does 
not get careful watering shows this 
type of starvation in many ways, all 
detrimental to appearance. Preparation 
of the soil mixture likewise is as impor- 
tant to the camellia as is a foundation 
to a house. With a good planting mix- 
ture, the camellia can better survive the 
abuses of unfavorable weather or for- 
gotten care. 
Plant in partial shade to protect from 
direct afternoon sun, at least three to 
four feet from any building or wall. 
Your camellia can live for 200 to 400 
years’ and become a big tree. 
Make the planting hole at least three 
times as large as the container and fill 
with a mixture of one part peat moss, 
one part good garden soil, 4 to % part 
sharp sand and % to one part acid leaf 
mold or its substitute. Plant a little 
high to allow for plant to settle. Do not 
crowd with other plants and never dig 
REPRINT 
fron September 1949 
SUN-UP 
All-South House and Garden Magazine 
San Antonio 9, Texas 
around camellias. If planted in a bed 
requiring cultivating, protect your Ca- 
mellia with a circle of bricks or rocks. 
Other Camellia Hints 
Fertilize with commercial fertilizer 
in Spring and, if necessary, once in mid- 
summer. Always water well before and 
after applying fertilizer. Use fertilizer 
sparingly—less than recommended on 
the package. Too much can kill the 
plant. Apply fertilizer evenly at a dis- 
tance from the trunk of the plant. 
Water frequently, using one inch of 
peat moss on the surface to help retain 
moisture. Large plants may require 
very slow, prolonged watering to set the 
soil to a sufficient depth. Be sure ade- 
quate drainage is given, especially dur- 
ing the rainy season. Water must not 
stand, yet never allow the plant to dry 
out. 
Frequent inspection and the use of 
common sense garden practices will give 
the camellia grower great pleasure. 
Learning the “tricks” of the experts in 
feeling leaf texture, comparing foilage 
coloration, differences of growth and 
bud development by observation, then 
asking’ questions, can be very helpful. 
Remember, again, that camellias must 
be protected from heat and cold. They 
become very valuable possessions, and 
deserve consideration and adequate en- 
vironmental planning available to any 
of us who give thought to the. matter. 
Protective shade in hot summer cli- 
mates, proper mulching and regular wa- 
tering result in developing expensive 
corsage material and flower arrange- 
ments. You actually can grow your own 
beautifully luxurious winter corsages. 
Dr. Hall is a brilliant nationally- 
known physician whose sideline 
is growing camellias. Like so 
many other professional men 
who spend their days dealing 
with aches and pains and misery, 
he devotes his spare hours to the 
exquisite beauty of: his plants 
and in developing Camellia Hall 
as a business has been particu- $ 
larly interested in firing begin- 
ning camellia collectors with his 
enthusiasm.—Editor. 
