Horticulturist Richard Arm led the tour through the camellia garden, which boasts a remarkable collection of about 550 cultivars, developed locally and as far afield as France, Japan and America. There are about 1 000 specimens, with glossy foliage and a glorious array of beautiful blooms.The camellias flourish in three main garden areas at the bottom of the Great Lawn, near the Café Fleur restaurant and below an expanse of yellow wood trees accessed by a swing bridge over the Lourens River, the only South African river that is officially a Protected Natural Environment.
Barbie girl Botle Tsotetsi looked all pretty in pink, fitting in beautifully with the spectacular show of pink, white and red blooms.
Botle Tsotetsi enjoyed the tour as a belated birthday spoil with friend, Casey Gill. Both of the young women just recently relocated to the Mother City to expand their horizons. Botle is completing her honours in Education Psychology as a student at the University of Cape Town, while Casey accepted the position as research technician at the University of Stellenbosch.
Among the prettiest flowers in all of the garden was Ria Esterhuyse (centre). The Somerset West pensioner, who has green fingers and boasts a beautiful garden at her Swannack Gardens cottage unit at Vonke House, was treated to the camellia tour by loving pair, Louise Esterhuyse (left) and Meeke Jacobs.
Lydia Austin and Carol Morris both share a love of flowers. Lydia expressed always wanting to tour the Camellia garden and in so doing gathered a friend and jumped at the opportunity.
Mom-and-daughter-duo Irina Barmina and Alexandra Panteleeva vowed to return to the picturesque estate for the camellia celebration while enjoying an evening of beautiful music as part of the Starlight Classics event.
Among the Camellia variations on display was the uniquely beautiful Reg Ragland Supreme.
The Camellia Japonica China Doll.
