When experiencing hard times or adversity, it's hard to believe that gray clouds often come with a silver lining.

For example, in 1977 and 1979 the U.S. National Arboretum experienced two severely cold winters. The cold killed more than 950 camellias growing in its Asian garden.

However, one member of the collection survived. It was identified as PI 162475. It had been brought to the arboretum as seed that had been collected in China.

The plant was not astounding. It was a small tree with white flowers that didn't come close to rivaling the beauty of the typical garden camellias. Lacking remarkable features, it had been relegated to an out-of-the-way location.

After the two harsh winters, the favored showy camellias were "goners," but one of the arboretum's plant breeders, William Ackerman, noted that PI 162475 was still alive. Ackerman proceeded to breed it, renamed "Lu Shan Snow" and another hardy camellia with lines of less hardy camellias with showier flowers.

The results of Ackerman's breeding work was sent to cooperators in five colder Eastern states to test their hardiness and six selections were made for introduction to home gardeners. In addition to being cold hardy to USDA Zone 6b, they also had attributes that would make them desirable to home gardeners, such as plant habit, flower quality and evergreen leaves. They were released in 1991.

They are fall bloomers and have showy flowers that drop their petals individually, avoiding the need for gardeners to tidy up and "dead-head" or remove the spent blooms. They are "Polar Ice," "Snow Flurry," "Winter's Hope," "Winter's Rose," "Winter's Star" and "Winter's Charm."

They may be hardy, but will they thrive in our region?

Camellias are well adapted to the mild humid regions of the southeast U.S. such as the Carolinas, but not to the Inland Northwest. Camellias don't like hot, sunny, dry conditions or alkaline soils. However, gardeners in our region seem to like a challenge.

Camellias want a well-drained acidic soil that's high in organic matter. The soil should be kept evenly and moderately moist. The roots should be mulched with an organic mulching material. They don't like hot sun or high temperatures. (See what I mean that it will be a challenge?)

Translating that into our local climatic conditions, this means amending the soil with organic matter such as well-rotted compost. If the soil is highly alkaline, sulfur also should be added to the soil before planting. Even where well adapted, camellias grow best in partial shade. Plants should be protected from wind and full sun, such as the north side of a structure.

Experts say gardeners often overfertilize their camellias, which leads to leggy growth. Use a fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen and only apply it if needed.

About 10 years ago when I was in Vancouver, Wash., I was enthralled with a beautiful tall shrub with flowers that looked like delicate roses, but that had wide evergreen leaves.

I later learned it was a camellia, but was disappointed to learn camellias are not winter hardy for our region. I'm excited there are hardy camellias available for gardeners in colder climates. Now, we'll have to see how they do with our hot, dry, sunny summer weather.

* Marianne C. Ophardt is a horticulturist for the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Office in Benton County.