Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-24
camelIIa Japonica.

greenhouse purposes, which lead many
persons to infer that these beautiful
plants can only be grown under glass
Consequently we do not see as great an
abundance in our gardens as could be
grown were more general Information
given as to their adaptation to open
ground culture throughout large area
OF the south. Those who have visited the
magnolia gardens on the Ashley river Is
miles from Charleston, have seen what Is
Enthusiastically the most favorable spot
in the southern states where these admir-
able plants have attained the greatest per-
lection, and where the largest number Of
varieties are brought together. The wealth
of flowers produced during January to
March is marvellous, and the visitor car
ries with him recollection Of wonder
fully beautiful fiowery scene. Here are
found plants from a small size to enor-
nous bushes Is to is feet high, and pro-
ducing myriads of flowers; not only did
the late Rev. J. G.. Drayton collect almost
every variety contained in European nur-
series, but he has originated numerous
| seedlings, whose flowers are unsurpassed
| by the best Italian sorts. Among the most
| striking of these southern Seeding camel
las we mention Professor Sargent" with
flowers of fiery scarlet-crimson, OF the
anemone class. or with the center petals
narrow and erect, and with broader mar
ginal petals; MRS. DraytOn," most re-
markable large flower, of the intoxicated
or fiat shape, center petals bright GRIM
son, with dark blue outer petals; Ella
Drayton," an exquisite bright rose-colored
flower. These are only a few of the scores
of excellent seedlings which to the true
amateur grower form a most interesting
study, and shows what is possible to pro-
duce in our coast belt regions OF the
south. Camellias delight in a climate
where the extremes of heat and cold do
not prevail, the coast of South Carolina
and Georgia, lower Alabama, Mississippi
and Louisiana are the most favorable to
their vigorous growth. They will adapt
themselves to various soils, but thrive
best in loamy formations where leaf mold
or humus predominates. They do not sue
coed so we'll in dry, sandy soils, ana II
planted in such situations an ample sup
ply of humus must be mixed with the soil.
Those requisites of soil and climate being
found on our coast belt admits camellias
to attain these unusually larger proper
tions than further inland. We do not re-
member the exact size of the single red
Towering camellia which was the first
that was planted at the south, but a few
years ago, when visiting the old Lucas
place on the neck at Charleston. That re-
markable tree reached above the windows
of the chamber floor Of the house and
measured IS inches in diameter at the
stem. 1t is truly giant Of its class, and
was planted In 1903.
The outer limit in Georgia where camel
las cannot be grown successfully in open
ground is at Atlanta, where we are told
that only a few specimens of the single
red have survived severe winters. While
any good garden soil will suit these
plants, it is desirable to select a situation
where protected from the greater heat Of
the summer sun, the colder blasts of win
ter and where surrounding buildings af-
ford a partial shade. They should never
be planted too near large trees, where the
roots of the latter take up the plant food;
neither should they be too close to
building, as the plants will then grow
one-sided. Give them ample room that
their shape can keep symmetrical. A well
formed camellia, when in full bloom is
the noblest hardy evergreen plant of our
southern gardens. and blooming at a sea-
son Of the year when hardly another flow
er is seen, makes this plant the more val
liable.
But every variety, and there are sew
era hundred now described and in Guilt
walton, will not give the same results
even under similar cultured conditions.
Some are not profuse boomers, others
are apt to cast their flower buds before
they expand should sharp frost &C.
cur; again, some don't fully expand their
flowers until late in the spring. when the
plants start in growth, and then drop
before reaching full size. Some varieties
with white grounds and delicate rose PEN
cillings are very easily injured by frost
and don't give as perfect flowers as when
grown under glass. We cannot recon-
mend for open ground culture such sur
passingly beautiful varieties as "Contes-
sa Lavinia Haggi," Queen of Beauties"
"Duchesse d'Orleans," and as a rule all
delicately veined and penciled flowers with
white ground. Still, that grandest Of all
white flowers. the old "Albaploena," OBJ
tanned near Milan, in italy, in 1874, by
Jean Cassozetti, has never been surpassed
by later corners. II is OF robust consu-
tuition, very profuse bloomer. exquisitely
shaped pure white flower; begins to open
as early as beginning of November and
frequently giving flowers until February.
1t is one of the hardest sorts. whereas
the "Fimbriata" (Which is only form OF
the "Albaploena," but with the edge or
the petals fringed, seldom perfeets its
flowers except when protected under
glass. The semi-double varieties, of
which there are many, give an abundance
of flowers With large petals mixed with
yellow stamens, giving them the appear
ance of a large loose paeony are among
the most desirable for open ground. Such
varieties as "Gunellii, 'Chandeln,
''Elegans," "Donkelaerii," Mammoth"
etc. are striking objects when planted
singly and laden with a profusion Of
flowers. The Single Red" which is the
type of the genus "Camellia Japonica,"
while giving a rather Indifferent flower
as compared with its double Towering OFF,
spring, has the merit of being the heaviest
of all, as well as the most vigorous. and
deserves to be more extensively planted
than it is, because it will often succeed
where all other varieties fail.
Another species OF the Camellia, Rosa
fora" this is a small shrub with slen-
der branches, small foliage and producing
a great profusion Of beautifully shaped
small rose colored flowers. 1t is as hardy
as the single red but is seldom found in
northern greenhouses because Of its
small flowers. South. it should be con-
s!dered among our desirable sorts.
The best seasons for planting Camel
las south, below the 34th or 32nd de-
grees of latitude, are from early Octo-
Der TO beginning Of November, and from
the end of February to the end OF March.
Do not transplant in midwinter. After
the plants are set out mulch the ground
around them with well-rotted COW ma
nure. and during severe cold protect with
bagging or an empty barrel; remove pro-
lection when the weather moderates.
Plants set out in spring must be protected
from direct rays Of the sun and kept
carefully. watered; they should also be
mulched with straw, leaves or any nom
heating material. and that will prevent
rapid evaporation.