Pages

Friday, February 18, 2011

Camellias at Planting Fields Arboretum

Planting Fields Arboretum is a State Park located on Long Island, NY. It was once a former Gold Coast estate and is now a public arboretum and historic site. It has 409 acres of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths and plant collections.

At any time of the year it is a fantastic place to visit. But in February, the real show is the Camellias.


Planting Fields is the home to the Camellia Greenhouse, designed by Lowell & Sargent/Olmsted Bros. in 1917-1922. Today it houses over 300 plants, some of them from the original collection brought over from England in the early 1900's.



Looking around at all the different varieties, I couldn't help but be amazed at this incredible plant and gorgeous flowers.




If you live in the area, Planting Fields is holding a Camellia Weekend festival in a few weeks. Check out their website for more details:  http://www.plantingfields.org

Even if you miss the festival, I still recommend you go to the greenhouse to see the Camellias. They certainly brighten up a winter day!




4 comments:

  1. Oh, Kate they are just so gorgeous. I want them all.LOL!If only. The first one with the double blooms is my favorite.I wouldn't want to leave that room. Have a wonderful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kate, these are beautiful images, the camellias are wonderful. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite, but those doubles are exquisite. I wish I could be in town for the festival, it looks like a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have a couple of Camellias growing in my garden here in the Uk and they seem pretty hardy but are far from flowering yet. I did see some flowering their socks off today though at a local garden centre and they looked gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been a Planting Fields regular for over 35 years, and it inspired to become the gardening expert I have become. In my front yard, I have a mature 'Long Island Pink' Camellia I purchased about 18 years ago from the retired Roslyn Nursery (in Dix Hills). It blooms from mid October to sometimes Christmas, and brings friendly comments from many a passersby. I have 2 small ones from cuttings. Recently, of all places, Home Depot, had the spring blooming Camellia japonica 'Kumasaka', at a great price. For mail order, there is a great selection, and at small sizes at Camellia Forest Nursery.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment! Even if I don't reply to each comment, please know that I do read every one of them and truly enjoy hearing from you!