The proper name for these colorful peppers is Capsicum frutescens, and they are used to make TABASCO Brand Pepper Sauce. As they ripen, their color changes from light green to yellow to orange, and finally to red. This photo was taken in August on Avery Island, when the red peppers are ready to be hand picked. Please visit www.TABASCO.com for much more information on these spicy peppers.

Unlike most peppers, Capsicum frutescens grows up towards the sun, rather than hanging down from the stem.

This lovely pink flower is a Debutante Camellia, formally known as Camellia japonica. Camellias are native to eastern and southern Asia. They became very popular in Europe in the mid 1800's, and gardeners in South Louisiana began importing them to improve our gardens. E. A. McIlhenny, who started building Avery Island's Jungle Gardens in the early 1900's, took a special interest in the beautiful plants. By 1941 he had collected over 700 varieties of Camellias to grow in Jungle Gardens, at least 18 of which he originated. (see www.junglegardens.org and The History of Jungle Gardens by Lisa B. Osborn, Shane K. Bernard, and Scott Carroll).

Debutante Camellia japonica bush.

Alba Plana Camellia at Deer Run

Purple Dawn Camellia japonica.

Camellia photographed in the Small Horseshoe area of Jungle Gardens in January.

Camellia photographed near the Large Horseshoe area of Jungle Gardens in January.

Unidentified camellia blooming in December in Jungle Gardens.

Unidentified camellias blooming in December in Jungle Gardens.

Jungle Gardens currently has a camellia identification project underway, since over the years many of the tags that labeled the beautiful flowers were lost. Since E. A. McIlhenny originally supplied many of the camellias that grow today in Houston's magnificent Bayou Bend gardens, the curator of those gardens, Bart Brechter, has kindly joined in the effort. Another important camellia expert involved in the project is Florence Crowder, a founder of the Great Gardens of America Preservation Alliance. See The New York Times article, "A Camellia Preserve on an Island Known for Tabasco Peppers," February 2, 2011.

Peppermint Camellia at Jungle Gardens.

Camellia in Jungle Gardens.

Kramer's Supreme Camellia japonica on Avery Island.

Another as of yet unidentified, but nevertheless beautiful, Camellia in Jungle Gardens.

Unidentified camellia blooming in December in Jungle Gardens.

The lovely Cherokee Rose, originally native to southern China, Taiwan, Laos, and Vietnam, is now the State Flower of Georgia. According to one legend, the Cherokee Rose appeared the morning after tribal elders prayed for a sign that would give the Cherokee women strength to survive and help their children along the "Trail of Tears," when the Cherokee nation was forcibly moved from the southeastern United States to Oklahoma in 1838. The petals symbolize the women's tears; seven leaves on each stem represent the seven Cherokee clans, and the gold center represents the gold that was taken from the Cherokees after it was discovered on their Georgia lands. (Source: Cherokee Society of Houston)

Cherokee Rose with Wisteria on Avery Island.

Wisteria on Avery Island.

Cypress Tree on Avery Island

Magnolia Blossom on Avery Island

While Magnolia × soulangeana is the botanical name for these trees that bloom in early spring, sporting beautiful large pink, purple, or white flowers, they are commonly called Japanese Magnolias, Tulip Magnolias, or Saucer Magnolias. The blooms pictured above announce that spring is on its way every year in Avery Island's jungle Gardens.

This is a flowering branch of a Tung Tree, photographed on Avery Island in the spring. Tung Trees are native to China, Burma, and Vietnam. They are valued for Tung Oil, which is derived from the tree's seeds, and was traditionally used in Chinese lamps. Tung Trees were introduced to the southeast United States in the early 20th century, and today Tung Oil is an ingredient in paint, varnish, and chalk.

Tung Tree Flowers on Avery Island.

This Yucca bloomed in August on Avery Island. The Yucca flower is the New Mexico State Flower.

Peppermint Camellia in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island, Louisiana.

Camellia in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island, Louisiana.

Camellia in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island, Louisiana.

Camellia in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island, Louisiana.

Christmas colors on Avery Island: Southern Live Oak decked in Scarlet Lichen and Resurrection Fern.

Iris blooming in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island.

Iris blooming in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island.

Capsicum frtescens, the peppers used to make TABSCO sauce, at sunrise on Avery Island.

Avery Island Azaleas.

Avery Island Purple Iris.

Iris in Avery Island's Jungle Gardens.

Cherokee Roses growing on Avery Island.

Violet Wood Sorrell grows around the base of bamboo on Avery Island, and all parts of this plant--the bulb, flowers and leaves--are edible according to Wikipedia. Garrie Landry kindly providided this beautiful plant identification.

Yucca plant growing in Avery Island's Jungle Gardens.

An Avery Island Camellia in Jungle Gardens.

Camelllia in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island. GPS: 29°54'39.893" N 91°54'46.074" W

Camelllia in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island.

Camelllia in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island.

Camelllia in Jungle Gardens on Avery Island.