Camellia club launches blooming marvellous initiative

IF you have a camellia tree on your property that might be of historical interest, the South African branch of the International Camellia Society (ICS) would like to hear from you.

This local group of horticultural enthusiasts held its annual meeting at Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West on 23 August. The event was attended by about 20 camellia experts, including horticulturist and landscape designer Keith Kirsten (the South African representative of the ICS) and retired nurseryman Jan van Bergen, who has donated numerous shrubs to Vergelegen since 1995.

The magnificent 315-year-old wine farm boasts the only International Camellia Garden of Excellence in Africa. Its renowned collection of over 1000 crimson, pink and white blooming camellia bushes comprises about 550 different camellia cultivars, from as far afield as France, Japan, America and South Africa.

“Vergelegen became a member of the ICS in 2010, and they have asked local enthusiasts to provide input on historic camellias to be found in South Africa. We would be most interested to hear about any unusual old varieties, and the stories that go with them,” explained Vergelegen horticulturist Richard Arm.

Vergelegen itself has numerous classic, pre-1940s Camellia japonica cultivars, most of which are now large, mature shrubs up to five metres high. Most of these were planted by Cynthia Barlow after her family bought Vergelegen in 1941.

If you think your camellia tree could be of historic interest, contact Keith Kirsten at office@keithkirsten.com or Richard Arm at gardens@vergelegen.co.za