Winter is the prime time to view the blooms of Africa’s only International Camellia Garden of Excellence at Vergelegen wine estate, a 322-year-old provincial heritage site in Somerset West.
There are 39 Camellia Gardens of Excellence in the world – Vergelegen’s camellia garden, and Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens are the only two in the Southern hemisphere that enjoy this recognition.
“We have over 1 000 camellia bushes at the estate, comprising about 550 cultivars from as far afield as France, Japan, America and South Africa,” says Richard Arm, Vergelegen horticulturist.
“The camellia gardens should be a magnificent sight until early spring. The shrubs can be viewed in three areas: at the bottom of the Great Lawn in front of the homestead; near the estate’s Café Fleur restaurant; and along a meandering path beside the Lourens River and through the yellowwood forest.”
Camellias were first planted at Vergelegen in the 1920s by owner, Lady Florence Phillips. Vergelegen’s exquisite gardens cover 10 hectares within a cultural heritage area spanning 60 hectares. In addition, a 54-hectare arboretum is in development, with plans to plant about 7 500 trees over ten years.
Visitors can stroll through the camellia gardens at their own pace, or book for the daily garden and heritage walking tour. This includes the camellias and other plantings, significant trees, the restored homestead and historic library.
The tour costs R50 per person and departs from the wine-tasting centre at Vergelegen at 09h30. The duration is approximately one hour, and is for a maximum 20 people. The tour is weather dependent. Book at 021 847 2122.
