Becoming a Camellia Detective
Camellias first found their way to the South in the late 1700s, settling into the gardens of Southern plantations. No one seems to agree on the exact date the first one arrived in America — several folks claim theirs was “the first.” Back then, there were only a handful of varieties to choose from, and it wasn’t until the early 1900s that camellias truly began to take root in Southern landscapes.
The South turned out to be a perfect fit for camellias, with just the right climate and soil. Still, most new varieties had to be imported from Europe. By the 1930s and ’40s, though, American growers were producing more of their own, and beautiful new varieties started popping up from seedlings right here at home.
That’s when a problem began — the names weren’t staying straight. A variety might be known as one thing in Savannah, GA, something else entirely in Charleston, SC, and a different name again in Gainesville, FL. Over the years, names got lost, labels fell off, plants were moved, pruned, or passed down to new owners, and today, many old camellias in our gardens have no clear identity.
So, can we figure out what they are after all these years? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. With thousands of registered varieties (and plenty of unregistered seedlings from gardeners’ own plants), some may never be identified. But that’s where the fun comes in — you get to become a “Camellia Detective.”
I was first inspired to take on this detective work by my dear friend Florence Crowder. Florence was truly the “queen” of identification — she had an incredible depth of knowledge and a gift for putting names to faces, or in this case, names to blooms. She shared her expertise freely and joyfully, helping countless gardeners solve the mysteries in their own camellia gardens. Watching her work, and seeing how much joy it brought people to finally know the names of their plants, made me want to do the same for others.
Building Your Camellia Detective Toolkit
If you’re ready to take on the mystery, here’s what I recommend:
1. Good Reference Material
Get a copy of Camellia Nomenclature from the Southern California Camellia Society, plus its supplement. Many older varieties are only listed in that extra book. Online photo libraries are also a huge help.
2. Measuring Tools
A simple ruler is essential for noting bloom width and height.
3. Temporary Labels
Label each unknown camellia with your own numbering system. If my last name were Smith and I had ten unknowns, I’d start with “Smith Unknown #1” and go from there. Pre-numbered tags, like truck seals, make the job easier — you can match each plant to its photos and notes.
4. Record Book
I keep a loose-leaf binder with dividers for each plant, but you can also use a spreadsheet or database like Airtable. Record everything:
-
Bloom size, shape, color
-
Petal details (crinkles, folds, jagged edges)
-
Variegation in blooms or leaves
-
Blooming season
-
Growth habits and plant size
-
Leaf size, shape, and color
-
Bud shape (pointed, rounded)
-
Sun/shade and moisture conditions
And take plenty of photos — blooms, leaves, buds, and the entire plant.
Photographing for Identification
Photos are your best tool for sharing with experts. Even when the plant’s not blooming, leaf and growth habit photos can be useful. The Facebook group Camellia Care & Identification is a great place to post pictures and get feedback from growers around the world.
Researching the Plant’s History
Knowing the age of your camellia can help narrow the list of possibilities. If it’s 15 feet tall, for example, it’s unlikely to be less than 10 years old. Local history, garden records, or even old photos from previous owners can be clues.
Learning from Experts & Gardens
Camellia judges, nursery owners, and seasoned growers can all offer val
uable opinions — just be ready for different answers. Visit public gardens with labeled camellias, like Magnolia Gardens in Charleston, SC. Seeing plants in person often makes the connection click.
Looking Beyond the Bloom
Two varieties can have nearly identical flowers, so don’t forget to check foliage, growth habit, seed pods, and bloom season. Sometimes those extra details are what solve the mystery.
When You Can’t Be Sure
Some plants may never be identified with certainty — especially if they’re old seedlings that were never registered. In those cases, you can make your best educated guess and record it for future reference.
Identifying camellias is a bit like reading a good mystery novel. Sometimes you get the satisfying ending, and other times you turn the last page without all the answers. But every clue you gather preserves a little piece of history for the next generation of camellia lovers — and that’s worth the effort.
I like to think Florence is looking down on us with a smile at the thought of so many gardeners out there, clipboards and cameras in hand, sleuthing through their gardens and keeping the stories of these old beauties alive.
