Camellias feature a blaze of color throughout the winter months.

Middleton Family history holds that in the year 1786, French botanist Andrè Michaux, gave the Middletons some of the first camellias to be planted in an American garden. Today, Middleton Place has over 3,500 camellias, many over 220 years old, including one of the four original Michaux plants, which is known at Middleton Place as the “Reine des Fleurs” or “Queen of Flowers.”

Enjoy this plant and learn more about its spectacular flowers on a Camellia Walk, held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday through March 23. The camellia-focused guided tours will begin at 11 a.m. at the Garden Market & Nursery and last approximately an hour and a half.

Middleton Place is home to dozens of varieties of camellia, some of which were propagated on site. Camellia Walks will focus on a few of these, including the Alba Plena, Alba Superba, Debutante, Donkelaari, Prince Eugene Napoleon, Prof. C.S Sargent, Dr. Tinsley, Lady Clare, Glen 40, and Pink Perfection.

Sidney Frazier, Vice-President of Horticulture at Middleton Place, says one of his favorite things about the camellias in the formal gardens is they provide a great burst of color that bridges the blooming gap between summer and spring. “Having color in the late fall and winter is wonderful,” he says. “That is what the camellia plants do for the Middleton Place Gardens. The Middletons planted camellias for the same reason—they would be in bloom while the family was living on the property during the winter months.”

Come see the flower that has captured the hearts of Southern gardeners for generations. Camellia Walks are free with paid admission to Middleton Place, but reservations are required.

Camellia Walks will begin at 11 a.m. on the following dates: February  16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28 and March 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23.

For reservations, call (843) 556-6020 or visit www.middletonplace.org.

You can read more information on the history of Camellias at Middleton Place over here.