Skip to content

Hess Camellia Garden


Cherished as the Alabama state flower, the camellia has long graced Southern landscapes. This garden is dedicated to camellias of all shapes, sizes, and blooms.


Cool-Weather Wonders

From fall-blooming sasanquas (Camellia sasanqua) to winter-gem Japanese camellias (Camellia japonica), our Hess Camellia Garden, dedicated in 1987 in honor of Nettie Hess by family and friends, boasts of over 75 varieties of camellias that blossom during the colder days of the year.

Sunken Terrace

Tucked under towering pines, a sunken brick terrace is surrounded by a display of colorful blooms in shades of white, blush, deep pink, and red. 

Cultivars Worth Collecting

Come explore our collection, which includes sasanquas like ‘Ruby Davidson’ and ‘Cleopatra’ and Alabama-bred cultivars like ‘Blood of China’ and ‘Daydream.’

Woodland Retreat

Even after the camellias have finished their show, this specialty garden still offers tranquil paths to walk and inviting benches to rest and soak in the peaceful woodlands.