Magnolia Plantation & Garden’s 74th Camellia Show brings color to the Ashley River
from Staff Reports
Every winter, when the Lowcountry gardens grow quiet and the azaleas rest, a burst of color quietly awakens at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens in West Ashley. Long cherished by Charleston gardeners and visitors alike, the camellias that thrive here become the stars of one of the region’s most beloved horticultural traditions — the 74th Annual Camellia Flower Show. Held Jan. 24–25 at Magnolia’s historic Carriage House along the Ashley River, teh show is presented by the Coastal Carolina Camellia Society
For decades, gardeners and flower enthusiasts from across the Lowcountry have carried prized blooms through Magnolia’s gates to be judged on form, color, and grace. What began as a modest local exhibition has grown into a true festival of winter flowers, with hundreds of camellia blossoms on display, each entered by passionate growers striving for top honors in a variety of categories.
On the first day of the show, early risers bring their blooms to the judging tables by mid-morning, where experienced volunteers and camellia aficionados meticulously evaluate each petal and leaf. By afternoon, the gates open to the public, welcoming garden lovers to stroll through the vibrant displays, ask questions, and learn more about cultivating these iconic plants in their own yards. The show continues the next morning before closing in the early afternoon, giving visitors ample time to take in the beauty of winter’s unexpected palette.
But the show is only part of the charm. The event also features a camellia plant sale, where visitors can take home a piece of the gardens, from classic favorites to rarer cultivars, along with expert tips from members of the Coastal Carolina Camellia Society on how to plant, prune, and nurture these elegant shrubs.
The camellia’s story at Magnolia goes back far beyond this weekend celebration. Rev. John Grimké Drayton, the visionary behind Magnolia’s iconic gardens in the early 1800s, was among the first in America to plant Camellia japonica outdoors on a large scale, nurturing these ornamental treasures alongside azaleas and other southern favorites. His work helped establish Magnolia as a destination for lovers of garden beauty long before it opened fully to the public after the Civil War.
Today, Magnolia’s camellia collection is one of the most extensive in the country. Tens of thousands of camellias bloom across the garden from mid-November through early spring, encompassing dozens of species and cultivars and offering a living chronicle of horticultural history in the Lowcountry. Some plants date back to the 1840s, and Magnolia introduced more than 150 japonica varieties to America between the 1840s and 1940s.
For locals, the annual camellia show symbolizes more than just botanical beauty — it celebrates a regional tradition of gardening excellence, community pride, and the quiet joy of winter color. Whether you’re a seasoned grower eager to enter your best blooms, a casual visitor curious about these elegant flowers, or someone simply seeking a serene interlude amidst sprawling gardens and historic live oaks, the event offers something for everyone.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is open year-round at 3550 Ashley River Road, and the Camellia Flower Show is included with regular admission or a Magnolia membership. For gardeners and nature lovers alike, the event is a vivid reminder that even in the depths of winter, there’s always beauty to be found right here in the Lowcountry.
The 74th Annual Camellia Flower Show will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. and Sunday, Jan.25, at 2 p.m. at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens’ Carriage House, located at 3550 Ashley River Road. For more information, visit magnoliaplantation.com/events/camellia-show
