Photos by Mark Albertin
Why are Southerners obsessed with camellias?
You’ve likely seen these beauties driving around Augusta or even growing in your own backyard. The camellia flower grows so well in this region that you would guess it’s a native species (spoiler: it’s not!). But the plant is more than just a pretty addition to your kitchen table. In fact, it has brought people together for generations and continues to do so today. It also has its own rich and rather aristocratic history.
Today, there has rarely been such an enthusiastic group as those who come together to venerate the “Rose of Winter.” Not only has the Augusta Camellia Society existed for close to 100 years now, but some members go back two and three generations.
Why does the “Winter Queen” inspire such devoted disciples? The camellia blooms from late fall to early spring, when most flowers lie dormant — hence its endearing moniker. While today we take the pretty specimen for granted as it is seen all over our town, camellias were initially quite a status symbol — think Birkin bag, but a plant version.
Camellias are native to East Asia and arrived in the United States around the late 1700s as luxury imports. In that time, wealthy European botanists and American gardeners were fascinated with exotic Asian plants. Camellias were rare and expensive. While you didn’t need an appointment to buy one, you did have to travel quite far or have the right connections.
You can read the full article in the February/March 2026 issue of Augusta magazine.
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