Camellia show at Midtown Feb. 10
Contributed by
The Mid- Carolina
Camellia Society

Camellias can live hundreds of years. They change from beautiful slow growing shrubs to magnificent small trees producing magnificent flowers during cold weather when nothing else is blooming.

Camellias and sasanquas have occupied prominent space in Southern gardens and on home sites for the past 50 to 100 years. Many who buy homes find themselves the proud owners of camellia shrubs in the landscape. These beautiful plants produce flowers during the winter and spring months in spite of very little attention.

The Mid- Carolina Camellia Society is a group of people who love to grow camellias and get together to share information and listen to experts talk about camellias and other plants and animals of interest.

At each meeting, regardless of the scheduled program, some information is given about growing camellias. Society members and visitors, meet at Lizard's Thicket around six o'clock the first Tuesday in each month from August- April.

Among the meeting topics over a year are: getting new varieties through rooting, air' layering and grafting; controlling the landscape with proper pruning; controlling insects, proper planting and care. Of course many of us stay around and talk and answer questions. We certainly try to help with the questions new members have and try to satisfy the reasons people join the society. Visitors are welcome at any meeting.

For over a half century the club members have sponsored shows in Columbia not only to encourage people to try to grow camellias to perfection but also to encourage and build interest that encourages others to join in this excellent hobby.

Master Gardeners, Back Yard Gardeners and Professionals who work with their minds tend to enjoy the relaxation that comes about from planting, tending, and enjoying beautiful flower blooms.

The shows give people the opportunity to identify the varieties that might be growing in their own yards.

At a show one can see that the camellia has more forms than any other plant. Forms range from singles to semi- doubles, to peony forms, anemone forms, rose form doubles, and formal doubles so perfect a flower it is difficult to believe they are real.

Colors range from white to dozens of shades of pinks and reds with several forms of variegation- blotched white, striped, and dotted.

The Camellia Show will be Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11 at Midtown at Forest Acres. In addition to hundreds of specimen camellias, visitors will see a specialized standard flower show sponsored by the Dimensions in Arts Study Club. This show will feature 24 artistic designs with the theme, "Music in the Air," The public may view the show from 1:00- 9:00 on Saturday, February 10, and 1:00- 4:00 on Sunday, February 11.

Anyone who grows camellias may enter blooms. Society membership is not necessary. Pick blooms with stems no more than two inches long and leave only one or two leaves.

Insert the stem in a grape and cushion blooms on polyfill, moss, or Easter egg grass so blooms do not touch each other or become bruised. Bring blooms to Midtown between 8 and 10 am Saturday morning. Society members will be there to help complete entry cards and place blooms. Central South Carolina people place an X on entry cards to be eligible for seven special local awards.

Come out for this special flower event. Members will sit at a special table to answer your questions and to take memberships for the Mid- Carolina Camellia Society, The Atlantic Coast Camellia Society, and The American Camellia Socity.