Early Camellia Plantings At

Zemurray Lodge

E. E. PULS

Dean, Division of Applied Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana College

Hammond Louisiana

WHAT STARTED OUT TO BE A VEGETABLE-GROWING PROJECf turnedout to be an azalea-camellia enterprise, an important phase of thecamellia revival in the early 1930's, sometimes referred to as thedepression years. It was in March of 1932 that Mr. Samuel Ze­murray, president of United Fruit Company, purchased a vast tractof land in the east central portion of Tangipahoa Parish; an estatewhich for over a century had been known as Morris' Retreat. Mr.Zemurray bought the estate covering 6,000 acres from the Houltonbrothers, Charles and William, who had purchased it during the1920's and had made many renovations to the original house. TheHoulton brothers lived there for a number of years. Mr. Zemurrayis remembered as a man of immense financial resources who startedas a penniless boy and worked his way up in the United Fruit Com­pany until he became president. It was his desire to retire to acountry estate where he could enjoy the out-of-doors and countrybenefits, especially fresh vegetables. He could not have secureda more competent person to take charge of the vegetable growingproject than Mr. Howard Schilling, who at that time was a verysuccessful farmer in the Spring Creek community.

When Mr. Schilling and his family arrived at Zemurray's Lodge,the name having been changed from Morris' Retreat, he foundhimself facing a tremendous undertaking; to use a common ex­pression, "he had to start from scratch." During the initial periodhe proved his worth to such an extent that after he was on thejob six months he was made superintendent of the whole est~te.

Actually, the extensive camellia and azalea plantings which resultedwere the outcome of a subtle intrigue engaged in by Mrs. Zemurrayand Mr. Schilling, because Mrs. Zemurray prevailed on Mr. Schil-

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180 A~[ER[CAN CA~[ELLIA YEARBOOK

Mr. Schilling points to the trunk of acamellia which he transplanted thirtyyears ago. There is good evidencethat this plant is 150 years old.

An 'ALBA PLENA' approximately 75years old, which ~Ir. Schilling trans­planted during the middle 1930's.This plant was moved from theFeliciana country.

ling to grow some Bowers in the vegetable garden. During the firsttwo years Mr. Zemurray took absolutely no interest in Bowers andthey had to be planted when he was not on the estate. Mrs. Ze­murray, however, directed Mr. Schilling to develop an azalea trailsome 500 yards long in a natural setting. When they were in bloomshe took Mr. Zemurray on the azalea trail, which resulted in hisbecoming interested in flowers in further expansion of the plant­ings. This took place in 1935.

Snuggled among giant pines, magnolias and birches, the statelymansion with a casino attached was built, as the name plate onthe threshold of one of the entrances indicates, in 1824, and directlyunder it: Renovated 1922. This was the country home and play­ground of the Morris and Hennen families, prominellt in NewOrleans society and business during the early part of the 1800's.These families were associated with the Louisiana lottery duringits heyday and much of their wealth came from this enterprise. Itis reported that the owners and friends would come from NewOrleans on the train to Hammond, were met by large vans or stage­coaches which took them to the country estate. A road in Tangi­pahoa Parish which they travelled still bears the name of MorrisRoad. The history of the estate is fascinating, charming and atpoints was overshadowed by tragedy. It seems that during thelatter part of the 1800's the estate was abandoned, not to be reviveduntil the Houlton brothers bought it, followed by the purchase ofit by Mr. Zemurray.

VI. 'ROSEA SUPERBA VARIEGATED'

Synonyms: 'MARGARET SANDUSKY'; 'ADA WILSON VAR.'A beautifully variegated form of an old favorite, 'ROSEA SUPERBA' a sport of'MATHOTrANA'. This old European variety is illustrated in Berlese's Iconographie,PIate 175, Volume II, 1843. According to Gerbing this variety was one of theplants found in the famous Tea Garden collection in Summerville, South Caro­lina which was imported in 1870.

EARLY CAMELLIA PLANTING AT ZEMURRAY LODGE 181

Moving with majestic beauty through the estate is one of Louisi­ana's most beautiful streams-Chappepeela. Its waters, cool andrefreshing, have been diverted to form several large lakes whichhave become part of the scenic beauty of the grounds. At certainpoints, the azaleas, when in bloom, reflect their beauty in the calmstill waters of the artificial lakes.

Most of the materials for this article were obtained from Mr.Howard Schilling in a pleasant visit in his beautiful new homelocated on the grounds of the Schilling nursery. Many of the read­ers of this article are familiar with the extensive plantings on this,one of the largest nursery businesses in southeast Louisiana.

When Mr. Schilling came to Zemurray's Lodge, he found nocamellias on the estate, but after Mr. Zemurray developed an inter­est in them, Mr. Schilling was advised to buy well-establishedplants for replanting. Because he was familiar with the northernpart of Tangipahoa Parish, his first quest for camellias was in theBolivar community, which is close to Spring Creek where Mr.Schilling was reared. It seems that there was some interest in theseplants in that area, probably because of the work of Mrs. Ott ofFairoaks Plantation, where the 'ELEANOR OF FAmoAKs' camelliaoriginated. Readers are referred to my article in the 1964 yearbookof the American Camellia Society "Old Camellias at Fairoaks." Mr.Schilling paid one hundred dollars for the plant which was six toeight feet tall and was a 'SARAH FROST', which he bought fromMrs. McDaniel. Readers no doubt will smile at what seems to be

One of the numerous statues andfountains which adorn the grounds ofZemurray Lodge. The building in thedistance is the renovated barn whichwas originally built over one hundredyears ago.

1'"ront view ot the big house at Ze­murray's Lodge. The addition to theleft was constructed from a porte­cochere. It is reported that this wasa sun parlor where Mr. Zemurray tookhis sun baths during his frequent visitsto the Lodge.

182 AMERICAN CAMELLIA YEARBOOK

an exorbitant price for what is now regarded as a common variety.These were depression days and one hundred dollars at that timewas probably equivalent to three hundred dollars or more now.

The next venture in purchasing camellias was in the St. Francis­ville area, where camellias, or rather japonicas, as they were knownin the early days had been grown for a long time. Here were tobe found many large and well-established plants. Mr. Schillingtold me that earlier the Stems family had moved numerous plantsfrom this region to their estate in New Orleans. One of the firstpurchases by Mr. Schilling was a 'GILMORE RED', located on theGilmore Plantation. He paid one hundred fifty dollars for a plantthat was about sixteen feet tall with a trunk eight inches in di­ameter. This plant bears a loose, peony-type deep red bloom aboutthree and one-half inches in diameter. It blooms profusely andstands freezes well. Later it was identified as of the '!MPERATOR'variety. Another plant that was moved was 'RUBRA VIRGINALIS'('JEANERETIE PINK'), twenty feet tall and ten inches in diameter.It was obtained for one hundred fifty dollars. My question immedi­ately was how a plant of this size could be moved. Mr. Schillingsaid that it took some time to figure out a way to move it, butfinally he arrived at a solution. Workmen dug the soil away froma block of earth around the roots. Planks were used to board theball of earth and a block and tackle was used to hoist the plantonto a trailer truck. It took two days to complete the operationand he reported that as the truck moved along, bridges were brokenin. The earth surrounding the roots was estimated at weighingeight tons. Quite a number of workers were employed in theproject, but because these were depression days, workmen couldbe had for one dollar a day. The plant had to be hauled sidewisein the trailer and skids and rollers were used to move it.

Another place where plants were purchased were from a MissRecord who lived on a plantation in the St. Francisville area. Itseems that she as well as other persons did not manifest interest incamellias, as had their forebears, which resulted in many plantsbeing in poor physical condition. Sometimes cattle had been al­lowed to roam among them, causing considerable injury to theplants because often they ate the foliage. These must have beenodd looking specimens with no branches or leaves on the lowerpart of the larger limbs. It is of interest to note that according totoday's standards no extraordinary varieties were available in theSt. Francisville area. Mr. Schilling said, however, that he foundone old scrubby 'ALBA PLENA' at the Gilmore Plantation which hepurchased and with considerable care was able to rejuvenate it.

EARLY CAMELLIA PLANTING AT ZEMURRAY LODGE 183

Another 'ALBA PLENA' was obtained near Slaughter, a small plantpurchased for three hundred dollars.

During the 1930's there were no nurseries in southeast Louisiana,consequently Mr. Schilling had to travel to Mobile to obtain plantsof other than the old established varieties. Because interest hadnow grown in extending the camellia plantings, he was encouragedto begin a program of propagation. In 1934 Mr. Schilling statedthat he made a small sand bed under some trees. These beds werefour inches deep and filled with sharp sand. When I asked himwhat luck he had with this crude procedure his eyes twinkled andhe said, "Real good; better than in the greenhouses, sometimes."He continued, "You know, at that time rooting compounds andhormones were not available. As a matter of fact, no one had heardof them in our part of the country." A little later, however, a smallgreenhouse, fourteen by sixteen feet, was erected for plant propa­gation and still later in 1938 a large structure was built, nineteenby seventy-five feet. Because the Zemurrays were not interestedin the newer, more spectacular varieties, Mr. Schilling was advisedto concentrate on the old, well-known ones: 'RUBRA VrnGINALIS','DARK DIXIE', 'MATHOTIANA', 'PINK PERFEcnON', 'ELEGANS', 'TRI­COLOR', 'JARVIS RED', 'ALBA SUPERBA', 'CO M. HOVEY', 'HERME' and'CANDIDISSIMA'. Since that time about 16,000 camellias have beenpropagated and planted on the estate, along with a quarter millionazaleas, representing practically all known varieties. Mr. Schillingwas charged with the responsibility of laying out and developingthe vast azalea trails which now attract crowds of visitors everyspring when they are in full bloom. The Zemurray Gardens arerecognized as one of the most beautiful of their kind to be foundanywhere, truly a living monument to a man who gave so muchof his life in developing a garden that has been a joy to literallythousands of persons. Go to the Zemurray Gardens during azaleablooming time; watch the multitudes wend their way over theazalea trails, observe the calm expressions on their faces and yourealize that a few hours in this beautiful spot is one of the panaceasfor the troubles of this turbulent world. This, perhaps, is the reasonwhy so many people visit this place in early Spring, for it is herethat they find renewed vigor for life.

At the conclusion of my interview with Mr. Schilling and afterhe had given me so many interesting details of his work, a numberof questions came to my mind which I could not resist asking:

"What is your opinion of the new varieties?" I asked Mr. Schilling.After some thought he said that many of the old varieties are

good and that some attention should be given to improvement of

184 AMERICAN CAMELLIA YEARBOOK

them. He is concerned about giving awards to seedlings that havebeen gibbed, because as he said, "you really don't know the realflower." Concerning the question of growing plants under cover,his opinion is that it is all right for the hobbyist, but it just isn'tfor everybody. There are many people who cannot afford the ex­pense of providing protection and growing camellias under coveris not good for the commercial trade. And then came my finalquestion:

"If you were a young man, would you go into the nursery busi­ness again?"

He settled into a moment of silence and I detected a flash ofnostalgia running through his mind, and with considerable re­luctance, answered, "No." I asked why and his answer was quickand sure, "Because of the troubled labor situation." This gave meconsiderable food for thought as I journeyed back to my home inHammond. What will happen to the nursery business if it driesup because of untenable conditions under which our nurserymenare forced to operate? Mr. Schilling is one of the most highlyrespected nurserymen in southeast Louisiana and may be trulyregarded as the Dean of the industry. He was a pioneer andthrough his quiet influence, much progress in the nursery businesshas resulted; a business now the biggest of its kind in Louisiana,comprising the Tangipahoa Parish, Washington Parish and St.Tammany Parish area.

"How Little We Know"A. L. CUNN

Lynnwood, California

I N THIS HOBBY OF OURS, we are often referred to as experts ofcamellia culture. We pride ourselves on growing good plants, andshowing beautiful flowers. To the viewing public, the hobbyist isconsidered to .know all there is to know about camellias. If askedwhy all the buds drop from a plant, why do the buds swell and notopen, why do my leaves have little brown spots, what soil mixshould we plant our camellias in, and how much and how often