James House Camellia Garden

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This is a garden of antique and historic camellias. With the exception of Blush Anne, a chance seedling registered to the Lee County Historical Society, all of the varieties which have been identified, were registered prior to 1970. Many extremely large plants exist, which are more than 30 feet high. Since the property was gifted to the Lee County Historical Society in 1996, the camellias have been pruned with the help of the Mid-Carolina Camellia Society in Columbia, S.C. and sprayed bi-annually. To date 50 cultivars have been positively identified. Many more remain to be identified. specialty: The garden houses many cultivars developed by Magnolia Plantation such as Mathotiana and Duchess of Sutherland. The home on the property dates to 1904 and is on the National Historic Register because of the camellia garden. Sarah James (Tallie) (DOB 1893 DOD 1983) expanded the camellia garden during her lifetime. Her sister, Myrtle, added to the property in 1945. This addition, which houses the majority of the camellias, is called "Tallie's Half Acre". Tallie worked many years for Sonoco in Hartsville, S.C. and we believe she developed her love of camellias from her association with the Coker family there.