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By Pamala Nolan

It’s easy to enter camellia blooms in the Greenville Camellia Show! The show is open to all camellia growers, from beginners with a single plant to experts with extensive collections. So, if you’re new to camellia growing, the “Novice” category offers a welcoming space to showcase your blooms and compete for prizes. 

These exquisite flowers are placed into two categories: blooms nurtured in protected greenhouse environments and those grown outdoors in traditional, unprotected home gardens. 

The Greenville Camellia Society (GCS) especially encourages local growers to submit their blooms even if they are unsure of the variety’s name. The show is sanctioned by The American Camellia Society (ACS), and ACS accredited judges will be on hand to help in identifying and sizing blooms.

Just bring your blooms to the Wendell Mitchell Conference Center on the LBW Community College Campus on Saturday morning, Feb. 15 from 7 – 10 a.m. and follow the bloom entry signs. 

Entries must have only one bloom to a stem and have one or two leaves which do not have to be attached. Blooms will be displayed in a variety of containers provided. Further instructions are provided at the bloom entry location and GCS members will be on hand to help you have an easy, fun experience.

Camellias come in an astonishing array of varieties, colors and forms. It is not always the unusual varieties that win awards at shows. Rather, it is the perfection of the individual bloom that garners the most votes from the judges. Society members encourage local growers to not forget the old favorites like Debutante, Professor Sargent and Ville de Nantes.

Some Butler County growers may have camellias which fit into the popular category of the Best Antique Bloom Award for any pre-1900 camellia grown protected or unprotected. These would include Alba Plena, Herme and Pink Perfection.

GCS has expanded the Local Blooms Grown Unprotected Award this year into four separate awards to include the Best Red Bloom, Best Pink Bloom, Best White Bloom, and the Best Variegated Bloom. 

In memory of the Society’s recently deceased Historian and camellia devotee, GCS will have a special Barbara Middleton Award for the Best Bloom in Show grown unprotected. 

Come back and enjoy the magnificent displays of beautiful camellia blooms at the second annual Greenville Camellia Show and Plant Sale on Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16 from 1 – 4 p.m. Beyond the breathtaking blooms, the plant sale is a perfect opportunity to bring the charm of camellias into your own garden. 

It’s a once in a year event and not to be missed. You’re guaranteed to be amazed!