Camellias at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston SC
The other morning, I spent several wonderful hours photographing at the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston made a great stopping point for some photography between my shows in Wilmington, North Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.
Magnolia Plantation was founded in 1676 by the Drayton family. In 1870, the family opened the gardens to the public, making it the oldest public garden in the United States. Some parts of the gardens date to the founding of the plantation. I spent most of my time photographing in the Camellia Garden. There were camellias in the gardens at Magnolia Plantation starting in the 1840s.
Here are some of the camellias I photographed at Magnolia Plantation.
Radiance Camellia – an ancient camellia japonica – this variety of camellia has been grown at Magnolia Plantation since the 1840s.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Delectissima – another historic camellia japonica – this wonderful variety with it’s white flowers with pink stripes has been grown on the property since the early 1900s.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Rev. John Bennett – an ancient camellia japonica that has been grown at Magnolia Plantation since 1840
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
And finally a Rev John Drayton camellia – an ancient camellia japonica – described as a light pink large peony style camellia. These have been grown at Magnolia Plantation since the late 1800s. 
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I’ll be posting a few more photos of camellias from Magnolia Plantation in a few days. In the meantime – I hope you enjoy these spectacular flowers.