Soft...rugged.
Delicate...hardy.
Such are the attributes of Alabama's state flower, the camellia.
These pretty petals ably withstand southern winters and bloom from November til March.
While not native to Alabama, the camellia became the state flower in 1959, thanks to the ladies of Butler County who declared that goldenrod (state flower since 1927) was a weed unworthy of such distinction. (Frankly, I love goldenrod and would have used it in my October wedding had the florist not also declared it a weed unworthy of a wedding!)
Moving on...the year 2005 was declared "Year of the Camellia" in Alabama, and most recently, the city of Greenville (county seat of Butler County) has announced that since it's known as "The Camellia City," there will soon be a Camellia Garden. Then, a new generation can learn how to propagate the shrub and keep both Greenville's camellias and Greenville itself "alive and growing."
Camellia lovers might enjoy this article written in 1953 for the American Camellia Yearbook pleading the case for why Greenville should be the only city in America known as The Camellia City.
Such a wonderful, gorgeous shade of pink.
ReplyDeleteMy Monday feature is: COLORFUL fungus
It is a pretty flower, but I also like goldenrod!
ReplyDeletea lovely flower and a great shot to show it. :)
ReplyDeleteso sweet and lovely!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of summer, and we're digging out of snow again. Thanks Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful details of this state flower.
ReplyDelete