Rare and historic plants in the Grade I Conservatory

The annual Camellia Show has opened for 2019 at Chiswick House gardens. The show will run from 1 March - 31 March and is open 10am - 3pm daily.

There is also a Camellia Festival weekend on 23 March - 24 March.

The rare and historic Camellias are located in the Grade 1 listed Conservatory, a gorgeous array of blooms; pink, red, white and striped. The collection consists of 33 different varieties, many of which are descended from the original planting in 1828.

Among them is the unique Middlemist’s red, originally brought from China in 1804 by Londoner John Middlemist, a nurseryman from Shepherds Bush.

There will also be free ‘Camellia Themed Tours’. Throughout March, the Garden guides will be offering the short tours (approx. 40 mins). They will give an overview of the history of the gardens including the Italian Garden, Conservatory and its historic Camellia Collection. You will also have time to view the flowering camellias at your leisure. Maximum of 25 people per tour but please no large groups to enable as many people as possible to enjoy a tour.

Tours will start at the East pavilion entrance of the Conservatory on the following dates/times:

Wednesdays at 11am: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

Saturday 11am: 23rd

Saturday 2pm: 23rd

Sundays at 11am: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 31st

Sundays at 2pm: 10th, 24th, 31st.

The collection is thought to be the oldest under glass in the Western world and includes rare and historically important examples, many believed to be descended from the original planting in 1828.

A Camellia Festival will be held on March 23/24. This will include a Camellia Competition supported by the International Camellia Society on the Saturday 23 March. Encouraging local people to bring their Camellia Blooms and win prizes. You don’t even have to know the name of the Camellia just bring the bloom. All blooms can be dropped off on Friday 22 March before 4pm and on the morning of the 23 March until 10am. Prizes will be awarded at noon on the 23 March.

Chiswick House will be open this weekend too (not normally open until April) for you to make a whole day of it. Free guided tours of the Camellias (max 25 people – first come first served) will take place at 11am & 2pm on Saturday 23 March. Tours start at the East Pavillion within the conservatory.

A pop up shop selling Heritage Camellias from the estate will be open on the weekend the 23/24 March 10am until 4pm just in time for Mother’s Day for those looking for last minute gift ideas!

March 2, 2019