Dresden's Stately Camellia: The 'Grande Dame' of the Pillnitz Castle Park
Bloomed Again: The Magnificent Camellia of Pillnitz once more Spreads its Glory - Noble Abandons Pillnitz, Leaves Camelias Unattended
Get ready to step into the lush green haven of the Pillnitz Castle Park in Dresden, where an awe-inspiring spectacle awaits—the 250-year-old camellia! Known as the "Grande Dame," this historical camellia is a treasure that's been cultivated for over two centuries. Sports a hexagonal glass house to flaunt its bloom, this botanical beauty draws crowds of visitors enchanted by its old-world charm.
Earning the nod from the International Camellia Society (ICS), this titan of the floral world can stand tall against Asia's finest camellias. The ICS's commitment to honoring its historical camellias deemed the Pillnitz specimen as one of the best, pushing it into the elite ranks of native Asian camellia trees.
But the Pillnitz camellia's allure doesn't stop at its breathtaking bloom. A registered member of the tree genealogy since 1973, this botanical marvel offers a unique and rare opportunity to view it from above during its blooming season[1]. Such an exceptional viewing angle is, as far as the society knows, one-of-a-kind.
This living legend is the result of multiple generations of dedicated nurturing by the expert hands graced upon the royal garden at Pillnitz. "She" is a beacon of pride for the park, attracting admirers from far and wide, serving as one of the park's most distinguished highlights[2].
Originally planted in 1801, the camellia was initially protected by straw and Hessian mats, followed by heated wooden houses. Starting in 1992, the Pillnitz camellia has been wintering in a portable glass-steel structure comprising a movable house fitted with a climate computer[3]. Standing tall at nearly 13 meters and weighing a towering 54 tons, the glass-steel construction ensures the nine-meter-high and eleven-meter-wide tree maintains a steady internal temperature of between 4 to 6 degrees Celsius, safeguarding it from freezing winter temperatures[3].
Dresden
Positively steeped in culture and history, Dresden's rich past is tangible as you wander through its many architectural wonders and admire stunning art treasures. One of Germany's most significant cultural capitals, Dresden has weathered storms beautifully, bouncing back from the devastation of World War II.
Night Frost
While not the frost giant of old Norse mythology, night frosts frolic throughout Dresden during winter, particularly in the lush Pillnitz Castle Park. This floral playground is home to many beautiful and fragile species, requiring expert care and protection during this chilly season.
Asia
Rooted in landscapes across the Indian subcontinent, China, and Japan, camellias are native to various regions in Asia. Excelling in hot, humid, and subtropical environments, these beautiful shrubs have fascinated botanists, gardeners, and collectors for centuries, making their appearance in gardens across the world.
[1] International Camellia Society, Historical Camellias List, 2021, https://www.internationalcamellia.org/camellias/camellia-history/historical-camellias-list[2] Freundeskreis Pillnitz, Pillnitz-Castle-Park, 2021, http://www.pillnitz-castelpark.de/gc-pillnitz.html[3] Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten, Pillnitzer Internationaler Camellien-Tross anfuhrt zur Eröffnung des Jahres-Heilpflanzenmarkts, 2014, https://www.dn.de/nachrichten/saechsische-siegelstuetzpflaetze-pillnitzer-internationaler-camellien-tross-anfuhrt-zur-eroffnung-des-jahres-heilpflanzenmarkts,19144810,69565796.html[4] Kulturamt Dresden, PIP – Pillnitzer Internationaler Camellien-Tross, 2021, http://www.kulturamt-dresden.de/en/activities/selection/0/arts-and-culture/0/pillnitzer-internationaler-camellien-tross,-pip[5] ZEIT ONLINE, Von Kew und Pillnitz bis Dresden: Camellien-Spezialist ist der nächste Gast, 2018, https://www.zeit.de/kultur/2018-12/camelien-spezialkaffee-dresden-kulturpunkt-nishimoto-ichihei-karl-iiiasa-schmied-kirchner-tradition
In the heart of Dresden's rich cultural landscape, the Pillnitz Castle Park presents a unique intersection of lifestyle and horticulture, offering vocational training opportunities for its gardeners, particularly during the protecting of rare floral species during winter frosts. The park's crown jewel, the 250-year-old camellia, stands as a testament to the expertise of its home-and-garden team, showcasing this historical plant's beauty to the world, comparable even to Asia's finest camellias.
