Further to our 'signs of spring' post, things have moved on quickly here at the farm; the camellia's in the garden are in full bloom and looking beautiful. Camellia's thrive here in Cornwall and have a fascintating history.
In the 19th Century camellias were perceived as being tender greenhouse plants which could only be grown by the largest landowners with huge conservatories. All this was to change with the discovery of what we now know as Camellia saluenensis by the famous Chinese planthunter George Forrest in 1918. This was a new species of camellia unknown in Western Europe. Camellia japonica (from Japan) had been introduced to Europe some 100 years before but it was generally considered simply as a foliage plant as it only had very small red flowers. Seed from Forrest’s new discovery was sent back to Caerhays Castle, about a 20 minute drive from Poltarrow.
The owner of the Caerhays estate, J.C. Williams had funded all of Forrest’s previous expeditions to China but his primary interest was in rhododendrons and not camellias.
Nevertheless in 1923 J.C. Williams crossed Camellia japonica with dark and pale forms of Camellia saluenensis. These original plants at Caerhays still survive in extreme old age today. The resultant seedlings began to flower in 1926 and the first of the new strain of x williamsii camellias was named ‘St Ewe’ (after a village close to Caerhays). Other hybrids were named ‘Caerhays’, ‘J.C. Williams’, ‘St Michael’ and ‘Charles Michael’ (after the head gardener of the time). Now is the perfect time to visit Caerhays and discover more about the camellias; the gardens close again until next spring on the 5th June.
Gardens Open
14th February to 5th June
seven days a week 10.00 to 5.00 (last admission 4.00)
House Open - (conducted tours only)
14th March to 30th May weekdays only (including Bank Holidays)
tours 12.00 1.30 3.00 (due to restricted numbers on tours, reservations are advised)
No comments:
Post a Comment