THE CAMELLIAS ARE

In Bloom

Planting Fields 2023 Camellia Festival is underway

BY BLVD. STAFF

Planting Fields is a magnificent Gold Coast estate from the 1920s, which survives today as a statement about art, architecture, and landscape. On Feb. 18 create many marvelous features in Planting Fields, most notably, the Camellia House. However, when W.R. purchased the original collection over a century ago, he soon realized the Long Island climate was not ideal for these non-hardy plants to survive. To protect his collection, he decided to have a dedicated greenhouse built. Architect Guy Lowell and Andrew Sargent designed the first iteration of the Camellia

Planting Fields Foundation kicked off its annual Camellia Festival, taking place in the stunning Camellia House, which was largely the vision of the Olmsted Brothers in 1918 to serve as a show palace for the Coe family’s prized camellia collection.

House in 1917, The construction of the Camellia House was completed by the specialist greenhouse firm William H. Lutton. In 1918 the Olmsted Brothers firm was hired to design various aspects of the Planting Fields landscape. At this time the Camellia House was expanded to become a show place for the fine camellias.

To date, some of the original Coe plants are still thriving amongst the dazzling spectacle of the largest camellia collection in the northeast. In late winter, particularly February, the 200plus camellias are in full flower with thousands of blossoms displaying a variety of camellias with vibrant colors of pink, red, white and yellow. Visit anytime through early March. The park is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Parking fees are collected daily from May 1 to Labor Day, on weekends and holidays from Labor Day to Nov. 21, and in April on weekends and holidays only. Fee is $8 per car, $75 per bus ($35 for nonprofits).

Coe Hall is open for guided tours March through December, Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coe Hall is also open for self-guided tours Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. The greenhouses are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days a week— closed on Tuesdays.

Planting Fields would like to thank Heritage Farm & Garden for generously sponsoring the Camellia Festival. Planting Fields Arboretum is located at 1395 Planting Fields Road in Oyster Bay. Visit www.plantingfields.org to learn more.