University of West Florida Camellia Garden - Pensacola, Florida

University of West Florida Camellia Garden - Pensacola, Florida

The UWF Camellia Garden is collaboration between the University of West Florida, The Pensacola Camellia Club and the UWF Retired Employee Association designed to showcase Pensacola registered varieties along with camellias from around the world. This garden was established in 2007 as a collaborative partnership as the University was preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The newly formed UWF Retired Employees Association was searching for a lasting gift to the university to commemorate the occasion and the Pensacola Camellia Club was searching for a way to gather, protect and showcase a specimen of every camellia variety developed and registered by local Pensacola area hobbyists over the previous 70 years. The timing could not have been more perfect and within a few months a formal agreement was finalized. A memorandum of understanding assures the long-term care and upkeep of the garden by all three partners.

About the Camellia Collection
Total number of camellia plants:   138
Number of distinct camellia cultivars or species: 138

The first plantings at the UWF Camellia Garden began in the spring of 2008 and the official dedication took place in September of 2009. The garden is approximately two acres. Since then, 130 camellias have been added to the garden and many more will be added in the years to come. Although the primary focus of the garden is to showcase Pensacola varieties, other exceptional camellia varieties and species of particular interest are also included. There are approximately 110 known Pensacola varieties and we have located 90 so far with 20 of the older varieties still lost.

The Pensacola Camellia Club was established in 1937 and is one of the oldest clubs in US history. Since then, hobbyists have been busy trying to develop new camellia varieties worthy of being registered with the American Camellia Society. Some new varieties are the result of chance mutations of existing varieties, while others come from seeds with new DNA combinations either by chance or by controlled cross-pollination. New seedlings often require as many as ten years to produce their first bloom and so hobbyists must be patient.

Directions to UWF Camellia Garden
Get custom directions by using the “directions” link within the map or use the information below.
If heading east on 9 Mile Road you will turn North/left at University Pkwy. At the UWF entrance turn right at the light onto Campus Dr., at the next light turn left at Campus Lane than right back onto Campus Dr. your heading to Parking Lot W. Warning there is construction near the garden.
Coming from Pace area/East on Alt 90 use the UWF East Entrance turning right onto Campus Dr. At the light turn right onto Campus Lane than right back onto Campus Dr. your heading to Parking Lot W.


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