The Southern Indian Hybrids are actually a southern, slightly hardier, offshoot of the Belgian Indian Hybrids that were popular further north, mainly under glass. These hybrids were developed at both Magnolia Gardens near Charleston, S.C. through the work of the Reverend John Drayton in the 1840s and the expansion work of P. J. Berckman, who established Fruitland Nursery in Augusta, GA in the 1850s developing an extensive listing of cultivars. This is a mixed grouping of fairly large growing plants with flowers from 2 to 3 ½ inches, usually single, no hose in hose, very few double forms. Colors can range from white, through pinks and reds to deep purple with very little flakes or sectoring of color forms. It can be noted that many are selected as sports, but they can revert to the original parentage at any time. The main problem in this area remains bark split in those occasions in winter with a drastic drop in temperature in a short period of time, resulting in large plants being killed to the ground. Fortunately, they regrow from the roots, but it takes some years to reach their former size.