C.M. Hovey
The first camellia to win a major U.S. horticultural medal — Boston nurseryman Hovey's 1853 gold medal winner with documented 150-year lifespans.
A landmark in American horticultural history, this was the first camellia to win a major U.S. award — the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's large gold medal in 1853, exhibited as 'Seedling I.' The formal double blooms in rich dark red with perfectly arranged petals were described by Haggerston in 1850 as having 'form of flower rounded to the centre and full; colour a bright crimson scarlet.' The RHS awarded a First Class Certificate in 1878. Growth is vigorous and slender-upright to 6–7 feet with glossy deep-green foliage. Known under many synonyms including 'Colonel Firey,' 'Firey King,' and 'Solaris,' with variegated sports 'Scarlett O'Hara' and 'Bradford's Variegated.' Documented 150-year lifespans on Southern estates. Source: International Camellia Register.