Rena Campbell and Betty Sheffield: Friends and their Flowers

Bruce Green will tell the story of the ‘Rena Campbell’ and ‘Betty Sheffield’ camellias, the friendship between the Quitman, Georgia ladies the camellias were named for. Rena Campbell, an African American neighbor is credited with introducing ‘Betty Sheffield’ to the genus Camellia in the early part of the 20th century.

 

In 1920, Campbell obtained a seed from a neighbor’s garden and grew it into a seedling. Sheffield later planted a seedling from this plant by her back door. It later became the parent of the bloom registered as ‘Betty Sheffield’, which later sported many famous camellias, including ‘Betty Sheffield Supreme’, the only camellia to appear on a US postage stamp.

 

Green is the former Tourism Product Development Director for the State of Georgia and was instrumental in establishing the Georgia Camellia Trail. He is in the process of writing a screenplay based on their friendship and the ability of the camellia to bring people together. Green is known for his humorous story-telling and witty presentation style.

 

The presentation is free with garden admission but requires advanced registration. 

 

To register, email ask@americancamellias.org with your name, phone number and the number in your party to make reservations. 

 

Call (478) 422-6355 to order a boxed lunch to eat after the presentation.