Alabama

The Story Behind the Camellia

Imagine driving through Alabama on a cool winter morning. Most of the trees have lost their leaves, and many gardens are waiting for spring. But then you see it. Large blooms in shades of white, pink, and deep red, brightening the landscape when almost everything else is still asleep. That's the camellia. While many flowers wait for warm weather, the camellia chooses a different season to shine. It blooms through the cooler months, bringing color and beauty to Alabama when it's needed most.

This short video shares how the camellia became Alabama's state flower and why it replaced another flower that had represented the state for more than 30 years.

Camellia

Camellia japonica

Although the camellia originally came from Asia, it has become one of the most beloved flowering plants in the South. It thrives in Alabama's mild climate, where it brightens gardens throughout the winter and early spring.

A few things that make it special:

Blooms from late fall through early spring
Comes in shades of white, pink, red, and variegated colors
Known for its glossy evergreen leaves
Produces large, elegant blossoms

When much of the landscape is still waiting for spring, the camellia is already in full bloom.

Why It Became the State Flower

Alabama's first state flower wasn't the camellia.

In 1927, the state adopted the goldenrod as its official flower. While beautiful, many people felt it didn't truly represent the gardens and landscapes they associated with Alabama.

By the 1950s, the camellia had become incredibly popular throughout the state. Garden clubs, homeowners, and communities had embraced it for its beauty, long blooming season, and ability to brighten the winter months.

In 1959, the Alabama Legislature voted to replace the goldenrod with the camellia as the state's official flower.

More than sixty years later, it's hard to imagine Alabama being represented by anything else.

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