Camellia Society of the Potomac Valley

Camellia Society of the Potomac Valley

The Camellia Society of The Potomac Valley was founded in January 1955 as an organization devoted to the culture of camellias. Its purposes are to:

• Stimulate interest in camellia growing in the Washington, DC area;
• Learn and report the best methods for growing camellias in this area;
• Assist beginners and answer general questions concerning camellia culture.

Programs are tailored to meet the interests of those growing camellias here in the northern part of the “Camellia Belt.”  An autumn mini-camellia show is usually held in conjunction with the November meeting.  An annual camellia plant sale is held at the Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD, usually in March or early April.

Every year CSPV conducts an American Camellia Society-sanctioned camellia show held in April either at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC or at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD.  The show usually features the blooms of more than 500 varieties of camellias, with a special emphasis on the more cold-hardy varieties of C. japonica growing in this area.  The show also includes greenhouse blooms and artistic arrangements of camellias.

Informative newsletters are sent by E-mail to the membership after each of the regular meetings. 

Annual membership dues in the Society are $10.00 per person, due January 1st.  In addition to attending our meetings, members are eligible for discounted prices for camellias at the annual spring plant sale.


CSPV meets on the second Sunday of the month in November and March. The annual CSPV show and plant sale is typically held on a weekend in early April when spring blooms are at their height.