I especially enjoy the durability and versatility of the camellias.

My only disappointment is that I was given a camellia perfected by Mr. Tom Dodd of Tom Dodd Nursery in Semmes. The camellia was named after a good friend of mine and I had to baby this plant for two years in a trade gallon pot, then for three years in the ground.

In the spring of 2006, it looked like it was well on its way to setting a bud or two for the winter. However, with the drought conditions and the location of the fifteen inch plant, it dried up faster than an alcohol swab on a hot cake griddle!

Varieties of the shrubs Camellias in old Alabama gardens usually include at least one of the following: &8220;Debutante&8221; or &8220;Professor Sargent.&8221;

The Debutante is an old camellia japonica variety. Some have been planted for decades. Debutante is pink in color; has a peony-like bloom; usually blooms before the winter solstice and continues to show off its beauty through mid-season.

Camellia japonica, &8220;Professor Charles S. Sargent,&8221; is one of my favorites of the older cultivars. Once introduced in the early 20th century, Professor Sargent quickly became &8216;the&8217; red camellia. Professor Sargent has 3&8221; to 5&8221; blooms, like the Debutante; but can grow to heights of fifteen feet with a girth of up to ten feet. This variety usually blooms from Groundhog Day to early spring.

The Professor Sargent also has a Class IV, peony shaped bloom. Reference the American Camellia Society for more details on the bloom classes.

Bloom sizes can vary on these and other camellias depending on how happy they are in their location. Water is a major contributing factor in bloom sizes, but cold hardiness is also a factor. Temperatures below 20 degrees fahrenheit can cause smaller blooms.

Camellias prefer an acidy soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5, and will do poorly in 7.0 or above. Right now is the ideal time to test your soil. Check with your local retail nursery or co-op store for a free test kit. Also, the test kits are available at your local extension office. For Shelby County, the extension system office is on Kelley Lane in Columbiana. Check your Blue Pages for the phone number.

Next week we&8217;ll discuss camellia pathogens and more basic care