Alabama State Flower: Camellia

The Camellia holds the position of Alabama's official state flower. These shrubs produce blooms from pure white to deep crimson red. Many varieties display pink and variegated patterns. Individual flowers measure 3 to 5 inches across, though some cultivated varieties reach up to 7 inches in diameter.

Plants grow as compact shrubs or small trees. Heights range from 6 to 12 feet under typical garden conditions. Some specimens in favorable locations grow taller, occasionally exceeding 20 feet. The glossy, dark green leaves stay on the plant year-round. This provides evergreen interest even when flowers are absent.

Camellias prefer partial shade and acidic soil with good drainage. In Alabama, these plants flourish in woodland settings and cultivated gardens where they get protection from intense afternoon sun. The blooming period extends from November through March. This makes the Camellia one of few ornamental plants that flowers during Alabama's cooler months.

The common name is Camellia. The scientific name is Camellia japonica. This species belongs to the Theaceae family, a group of flowering plants that includes approximately 300 species worldwide.

The Theaceae family also includes the economically important tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Black, green, and white teas all come from this relative. Despite this close relationship, Camellia japonica is grown primarily for ornamental purposes rather than beverage production. The genus name Camellia honors Georg Josef Kamel, a 17th-century Jesuit botanist who worked in the Philippines. He never actually studied this particular species, though.

The legislature designated the Camellia in 1959. This replaced the goldenrod, which had served as the state flower since 1927. Garden clubs throughout Alabama advocated strongly for the change. They presented the Camellia as a more appropriate symbol of the state's horticultural identity.

The selection reflected the flower's deep historical roots in Alabama. Camellias had been cultivated in the state since the 1840s. Wealthy landowners and plantation gardens first introduced them from Asia during that period. Mobile developed a reputation for exceptional Camellia collections. Some historic specimens still thrive in gardens today.

Garden club members argued that the Camellia better represented Alabama's gardening heritage and mild climate than the goldenrod. The goldenrod grew wild throughout much of the eastern United States. The Camellia's winter blooming season filled a gap in the landscape calendar, providing color when few native plants flowered. The Alabama Federation of Garden Clubs led the campaign for adoption. They gathered support from horticultural societies and civic organizations across the state.

Alabama's state bird is the Yellowhammer, also known as the Northern Flicker. This woodpecker species has distinctive yellow wing and tail feathers. Both the Camellia and Yellowhammer serve as official symbols of Alabama. The Yellowhammer was adopted in 1927 and the Camellia was designated 32 years later in 1959.

The Camellia is often associated with refinement and excellence in Southern garden culture. Its ability to produce perfect blooms during winter months commonly represents perseverance and quiet strength. In Alabama's horticultural community, the flower carries connotations of grace and timeless beauty. This reflects the state's long tradition of cultivating ornamental gardens despite challenging summer heat and humidity.