News

Flower enthusiasts gathered at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West on 31 July and 1 August to admire the estate’s internationally acclaimed camellia collection during its annual Camellia Weekend.
Home to more than 1,000 camellia shrubs, Vergelegen is recognised as Africa’s only International Camellia Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. There are just two such gardens in the Southern Hemisphere and 39 worldwide.

With the magnificent Camellia japonica blooms at their seasonal peak, visitors from Somerset West, Cape Town and further afield joined guided walks led by Vergelegen horticulturist and gardens manager Richard Arm.

“We were delighted to welcome visitors to experience the blooms at their finest,” said Arm. “The response reflects the enduring appeal of our internationally recognised collection.”

The camellias will continue flowering throughout winter, with visitors able to enjoy the display until the end of September.

According to Arm, the health of Vergelegen’s camellias can be attributed to the estate’s acidic soil, shade provided by surrounding trees and plentiful water from the farm dams.

The camellias are mainly located at the end of the Great Lawn and along the banks of the Lourens River. Two ancient camellia trees in the Octagonal Garden, one bearing red blooms and the other pink flowers, are believed to be the oldest on the estate. They date back to the 1920s, when Sir Lionel Phillips and Lady Florence Phillips owned the property.

Vergelegen is open to the public daily, allowing visitors to explore the camellia collection at their leisure. Guests can also book a guided Heritage and Garden Tour, priced at R140 per person and departing from the Wine Tasting Room at 09h30 daily.

Estate hours: Monday to Sunday, 08h30–17h00 (last entry 16h00)
Entry fee: R30 per adult; R10 for pensioners and scholars. Pensioners enter free on Mondays.

Heritage and Garden Tour: Email winetasting@vergelegen.co.za or book online via Vergelegen’s Heritage Tour.