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 has the only International Camellia Garden of Excellence in Africa. Its collection of over 1,000 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," explained Vergelegen horticulturist Richard Arm. "We would be most interested to hear about any unusual old varieties, and the stories that go with them."
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.
The queen of the winter garden is now nearing the end of its blooming cycle, but outstanding flowers can still be viewed at Vergelegen for about another month.
The estate is open every day from 9.30am to 4pm at a cost of R10/head, with a reduced rate of R5/person for pensioners. Personalised tours of the camellias and other gardens at Vergelegen may be organised by arrangement for gardening clubs and other interested parties. There are 18 diverse gardens extending over 10 hectares, part of a cultural heritage area spanning 60 hectares.
If you think your camellia tree could be of historic interest, please contact Keith Kirsten at moc.netsrikhtiek@eciffo or Vergelegen horticulturist Richard Arm at az.oc.negelegrev@snedrag.
