Sasanqua Garden Club

Facility Address	P.O. Box 143 Greenville, AL 36027
Town	Greenville
State	Alabama
Email	sasanquagardenclub1992@gmail.com
Website	https://sasanquagardenclub.org

SASANQUA GARDEN CLUB
2024 - 2025

Want to Know more Information about the above Cultivars - Just click on a Picture

About the Sasanqua Garden Club!!!!

The Club
The Sasanqua Garden Club was established in 1946 and is Greenville’s oldest active garden club. In 1992, at the request of the remaining founders, the club was reorganized by younger members and continues to focus on the group’s original passion for beautifying Greenville– Alabama’s very own “Camellia City.”

Cultivating in Our Community
Sasanqua Garden Club camellias wave in welcome throughout the town on numerous pole banners and decorative house flags. The club has also sponsored and/or maintained several plantings including crepe myrtles lining the entrances to the Greenville Recreational Center (former YMCA) and at the Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport; Knock Out roses adorning the downtown water tower, interstate exit ramps, and Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama; multiple planter boxes gracing downtown sidewalks; and decorative pottery planters at the historic Ritz Theater. At the city’s north interstate entrance, the club has installed a panoramic “Welcome to Greenville” sign backed by magnolias and fronted by traditional plantings of spring tulips and daffodils. At the triangle intersection of College Street and Fort Dale Road, the group has erected a welcoming display promoting Historic Downtown Greenville, complete with flags, magnolias, ‘Cool Breeze’ sasanquas, and a handsome iron sign.

Camellias Past and Present
In 2023, the club renewed efforts to restore, expand, and improve the city’s camellia garden. Beeland Park was established in 1934 on land donated by Robert A. Beeland. In 1959, largely due to the efforts of the Greenville Men’s Camellia Society, the camellia bloom became the Alabama state flower. Among the garden’s more than 300 camellia specimens, are numerous cultivars developed here in Greenville and registered with the National Camellia Society. The Sasanqua Garden Club successfully applied for the Beeland Park Camellia Gardens to be recognized as part of the National Camellia Trail, making it the 65th garden to earn this prestigious distinction.

A Growing Gem for Greenville
In 2024, in partnership with the City of Greenville and the Greenville Area Chamber Of Commerce, the Sasanqua Garden Club continued the campaign to enhance the Beeland Park Camellia Gardens. Bobby Green, a renowned camellia expert and garden designer from Fairhope, was employed by the city to formulate a long-term plan for the gardens to be accomplished in three phases. Phase One, which is nearing completion, includes a walking trail named to honor the Greenville Men’s Camellia Society and a stately garden entrance featuring a brick paver walkway flanked by columns. The columns will be constructed from locally-sourced Cedar Creek stones to mirror Beeland Park’s historic stone walls which were built by the Civil Works Administration. The club funded this initiative through grants and a bequest from the Greenville Men’s Camellia Society made by its last living member. Phase Two will utilize funds raised through personalized brick paver sales to install a seven-foot diameter salt kettle fountain, two stone picnic tables styled after an existing original table, additional plantings, irrigation, lighting, and identification markers for camellia plants and to construct a children’s Enchanted Garden structure for play and learning. Phase Three will bring benches, more plantings, an expansion of the Enchanted Garden area, and an amphitheater to be used as a wedding, social, or performance venue.

Society Contact: Mary Dearing

Email Contact: sasanquagardenclub1992@gmail.com

Sasanqua Garden Club - Activities and Volunteering

Beeland Park Camellia Gardens - The Sasanqua Garden Club proudly
embraces the 65th garden of the American Camellia Trail.

Soon To Bloom - Our plan to enhance the Beeland Park Camellia Gardens in
partnership with the City of Greenville and Chamber of Commerce is outlined.

A Rich Camellia History - Greenville's significant role in the camellia bloom
becoming the Alabama state flower and other historical highlights are shared.

Friends of the Gardens - Personalized brick pavers mark
the entrance to the Beeland park Camellia Gardens.

A Graceful Greeting - Pole banners throughout town feature
the original artwork of a Sasanqua Garden Club member.

Historic Hospitality - An artful display promotes Historic Downtown Greenville

Pennants of Camellia Pride - Decorative house flags
reflect the community's love for our state flower.

Sprucing Up Sidewalks - Multiple planter boxes and decorative pottery
downtown are lovingly tended by Sasanqua Garden Club Members.

Welcome to Greenville - A panoramic sign framed by magnolias,
roses, and spring plantings offers a warm reception to travelers.

Scattering Beauty - The addition of roses, camellias, and crepe myrtles
at our water tower, airport, hospital, and recreation center
underscores the Sasanqua Garden Club's dedication
to beautifying Greenville.