I was in Balboa Park yesterday and stopped by the Camellia Show and Sale. I don’t grow camellias, but gosh, they are beautiful and I saw the best of the best today.

Camellias are indigenous to Asia, commonly found growing in Japan, China, and Vietnam. There are over two hundred different species of camellias known to exist throughout the world, but the most recognized species in the western world are Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua. For a couple thousand years, people in China and Japan have enjoyed a drink made from the leaves of a camellia species known as Camellia sinensis. A little more camellia history…..

Most camellias bloom between September and March, which provides beautiful color when most plants in the garden are asleep. Camellias prefer moist, acidic soils and moderately cold temperatures, so they are perfect transplants into our southern landscapes and gardens. Most camellia flowers are pink, red or white with just about every shade and combination of these colors available. Yellow blooming camellias have been brought to the US in the last 30 years and variations of yellow are being found in more gardens as time moves on.

Southern California has quite a few active camellia organizations that seemed to fall under an umbrella organization called the Southern California Camellia Society. They have a great website and they also publish a beautiful quarterly publication called The Camellia Review.

I have always perceived camellias as difficult to grow, but I suppose it’s like any other plant – you just need to know what to watch for. I found a great link that can diagnose a lot of camellia problems.

Where might you see camellias in their full glory? The International Camellia Society has named Huntington Gardens as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence, one of only five in the world. Huntington Gardens has a good collection, close enough for a nice day trip. I’ve never been to the Huntington Gardens – it sounds like field trip time!!!

Tagged as: camellias, Huntington Gardens