The Late Bloomers

In the Anglo-Saxon countries, diffusion had a meteoric rise. Camellias arrived in United States during the 18th century. Cultivars of C. Japonica were imported from England with success. They were cultivated primarily in greenhouses in New York. Then, camellias arrived in Philadelphia (conservatory at Longwood Garten, now dedicated to cold hardly camellias). Then it went to Charleston, where collections are impressive. It arrived in California in Sacramento, where it prospered, paradoxically, despite of the very hot climate.

The camellias made their first appearance in Australia in 1826. The enthusiasm was high, cultivars were imported from United Kingdom and the producers made their own seedlings. In the north island of New Zealand the climate is ideal for cultivating camellias. The first cultivars came from England but also France. The first camellia was planted in 1840. In the second half of the 19th century, the plant knew a renewal of interest. Alexandre Dumas' son, with his novel 'La Dame aux Camélias' (published in 1848) contibuted to its success. But he also left the false spelling of 'Camélia' often found today. For much of the 19th century, the camellia was not a popular plant as it was reserved for the aristocracy. Interest for camellias decreased between 1880 and 1920.

Nowadays the growth of camellia for business purpose can be found mostly in California and Georgia.