Camellia loop walk

The Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Camellia Society has presented 15 new camellias to Victoria Esplanade to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Palmerston North.

This area is being designed for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of flowering plants all year round.”

Editorial: Zaryd Wilson / Photos: Robyn Tillman

Camellias were first planted around the periphery of the Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden at the Esplanade in 1968. They were arranged in themed areas, according to their species and cultivar types.

Today, many of these camellias have grown into their natural state of tall flowering trees that do not look like the pruned flowering bushes commonly seen in home gardens. In particular, Camellia reticulata grow into tall trees with very large flowers that are a spectacular sight between June and October.

Since 2017, members of the Manawatu branch of the camellia society have been working with Esplanade staff to enhance the camellia collection and to develop a camellia loop walk. Together with the rose collection, this area is being designed for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the

The start of the camellia loop walk at Victoria Esplanade in Palmerston North.

beauty of flowering plants all year round. It is accessible from a sealed carpark, has wide paths and many park seats along the 720 metres.

In 2020, two new information boards were erected that show the camellia loop walk: one at the entrance from the croquet car park, and the other at the main rose garden gates. There are five additional information boards along the walk that highlight the camellias in each area.

The loop walk area has about 400 different cultivars or species that flower between March and November.