Rare Camellia Blooms in Chiswick

Dean Nicholas
By Dean Nicholas Last edited 168 months ago
Rare Camellia Blooms in Chiswick

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Photo / Martin Labar
The Middlemist Red camellia, considered the world's rarest, is in full bloom at Chiswick House and Gardens conservatory. The camellia, one of only two in the world (the other is located in New Zealand), arrived in Britain from its native China in the early 19th century; the surviving specimen is a descendent of that early immigrant, and was discovered in Chiswick in 1823, where it has remained ever since. The extensive camellia collection at Chiswick includes 36 plants; rebuilding work on the conservatory is due to finish in June, but by that point the distinctive pink petals will have vanished until next spring.

Last Updated 10 March 2010