[photo credit: Visit Pasadena]
The show, held February 7-8, takes place during peak bloom season at a collection the International Camellia Society designated an International Camellia Garden of Excellence in 2001. The Huntington houses nearly 80 camellia species and some 1,200 cultivated varieties, according to the institution—one of the most comprehensive collections in North America.
Society members will be available throughout the weekend to answer questions about identifying and growing camellias. The organization, incorporated as a nonprofit in 1946, has spent nearly 80 years promoting the evergreen flowering plants and fostering what it describes as “friendly competition among hobbyists.”
“What makes this collection stand out is not only its size and completeness, but also the number of rare and historic cultivars it contains,” David MacLaren, Curator of Asian Gardens at The Huntington, has said of the grounds.
The show draws camellia enthusiasts from San Diego to Sacramento, according to The Huntington. Visitors can explore the competitive exhibits and then stroll through acres of blooming camellias in the gardens’ North Vista, Japanese Garden, and Chinese Garden.
Camellias, native to China and Japan, bloom primarily in January and February in Southern California. The Huntington’s collection includes descendants of some of the earliest camellias to arrive in England from Asia in the 18th century, as well as cultivars developed by Altadena’s Nuccio’s Nurseries, which has been growing rare camellias since 1935 and has introduced more than 200 new varieties.
The show runs Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., following morning judging, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is free with general admission to The Huntington, which is $29 for adults, $24 for students, and $13 for youth ages 4 to 11. Children under 4 are free. Reservations are required on weekends.
Brad King, president of the Southern California Camellia Society, serves as show chair, with Beth Stone as judges’ chairperson.
The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Road. For information, call (626) 405-2100 or visit huntington.org.
“Camellia shows were started as another way to introduce the public to this delightful plant and provide opportunities for friendly competition among hobbyists,” the society states on The Huntington’s event page.
