The Camellia Garden is a joint project of the City of Jacksonville and the Men’s Garden Club. This agreement was approved in August 1967, and the garden plan was drafted by the Landscape Architect of the City of Jacksonville. First plantings were made in February 1968, and by the end of the first planting season there were 104 plants in beds. Today, the garden has 15 beds with over 80 camellia plants. In addition to camellia plants, there are a number of dogwoods, East Palatka hollies, lantana, red buds, saucer magnolias, winged elms and other flowering plants and trees. Several stately live oak & pine trees provide shade to many of the plants.
In April 1989, a bronze plaque mounted on a brick column commemorating this joint project was dedicated to the City of Jacksonville.
The garden is located in Riverside Park at the intersection of Park and Post streets in Riverside.
Tours of the Camellia Garden are offered during the flowering season to the public, garden clubs & circles and other interested groups. Contact us at mgcjax@outlook.com to arrange a tour.
The Men’s Garden Club is also a sponsor of the Friends of Riverside Park support group of volunteers interested in the maintenance and development of the park.