The Pillnitz camellia

The Pillnitz camellia awakens from its slumber. Between mid-February and mid-April it displays a sea of ​​flowers with up to 35,000 of its chimney-red, bell-shaped flowers. You can admire them in the beautiful park of Pillnitz Castle, the former summer residence of the Saxon Elector August the Strong.

The magnificent camellia is 8.60 meters high and has a diameter of over 11 meters. It is around 230 years old and was planted at its current location in 1801 by the court gardener Terscheck. Today it is protected by a mobile glass house over 13 meters high, which simultaneously regulates temperature, humidity and shading. In summer the glass house, which weighs 54 tons, is moved next to the camellia. It is the oldest camellia north of the Alps.

My advice:

All hunters and collectors have the opportunity to buy cuttings of this famous Pillnitz camellia in the "Alte Wache" during its flowering period.

If you still have time, you should definitely visit two other camellia exhibitions:

The camellia castle in Pirna-Zuschendorf, which is practically around the corner and houses the Seidel camellia collection, which is a listed building.

The camellia exhibition in Königsbrück, which is approx. 40 km from Pillnitz, is small and fine. Both camellia collections feature plants that are between 50 and 190 years old.

Pillnitz Castle and Park Dresden

August-Böckstiegel-Str. 2

01326 Dresden

Opening hours:

during the flowering period

Mid-February to mid-April

Open daily: from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m