Festival of Camellias at Massee Lane Gardens - 2025

Festival of Camellias at Massee Lane Gardens - 2025

 

 Festival of Camellias
at
Massee Lane Gardens
February 1 - 28, 2025

American Camellia Society’s
80th Anniversary

Massee Lane Gardens celebrates the 2025 Festival of Camellias and the 80th Anniversary of the American Camellia Society for the entire month of February 2025. Although camellias bloom from late fall through early spring, February is the peak of the camellia blooming season. Visitors can stroll pathways through nine acres of specialty gardens full of blooming heirloom, modern, and species camellia plants. We have new picnic tables, too. Feel free to pack a lunch and enjoy the scenery.

Plants for Sale

Camellia plants will be on sale throughout the season and during each event. The Garden Gift Shop will also be open with an eclectic collection of camellia and garden-themed gifts ranging from home decor to jewelry and accessories.

Spending time outdoors is proven to improve physical and mental health and strengthen the immune system. Since 2019, we have all been subject to the stress of the health crisis. In appreciation of the important role gardens play in healing our mind and body, come join us! A schedule of fun activities will add to the joy of seeing so many different colors, sizes and forms of camellias. Educational presentations and workshops will offer information on developing, caring for, and enjoying camellias. You may also choose to take a stroll through the gardens.

Guided Tours & Box Lunches

Call now for Box Lunch and Guided Tour Reservations! Don’t delay in making your advanced, pre-paid reservations today. Tours and lunches are available on a first come, first served basis for groups of 10 or more.

Professionally guided tours can be scheduled Tuesday through Friday in October 2024 - January 2025, and Monday through Friday in February 2025.

Tours are $10 per person, and feature admission to the Massee Lane Gardens; a video presentation on the history of Massee Lane Gardens, the American Camellia Society, and camellia species and cultivars; a short informative speech by a Horticultural Expert; and a professionally guided tour of Massee Lane Gardens.

Deluxe boxed luncheon tours are also available with reservations two weeks in advance for $25. Lunches and guided tours are available now through April 2025. Click here to download and print the menu and box lunch order form.

Be sure to call  (877) 422-6355 to make or confirm reservations for your group's preferred date as well as note the scheduled date on the lunch order form.

Cancellations require a week’s advance notice. Phone payments by credit card are accepted.

Boxed lunches will be served between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the Annabelle Lundy Fetterman Gallery and Museum among breathtaking Boehm porcelain masterpieces. Tours can be scheduled either before or after the meal. Make your reservations early for the best scheduling options. Be sure to save time to visit our newly renovated gift shop and plant sale tent!

A Bit of History

Take your shoes off and sit a spell with a fresh bag of popcorn or another snack from our gift shop concessions while you enjoy our History of The American Camellia Society film or enjoy a Disney movie with the kids in the auditorium. This film is available any time our doors are open year round. Learn even more from our educational kiosk in the Silver Building.

Festival of Camellias
Calendar of Weekend Events

Workshop Weekend
Saturday, February 15, 2025

Saving Money Workshop
10:00 - 3:00 p.m. Walk-In



Saving Money Talk for Kids: Matt Callahan of Synovus Bank presents a very important discussion about saving money for the kids. Everything they need to gain an early foothold on their finances that will give them a head start for the future.


 

Clay Jewelry Workshop
10:00 - 3:00 p.m. Walk-In

Iris Brand, Gift Shop Coordinator, ACS, will teach adults 12+ how to make paper clay jewelry for sale, gifting, or to wear yourself - a fun little hobby or side business for anyone who loves to play with clay. The kit includes everything you need to finish a matching set pendant, earrings, and lapel pin.

Learn to prepare, mold, smooth, paint, and finish your new jewelry. Wear them home and show them off! Buy more clay at your local craft store or Amazon Prime and make a set in every color you like. 

YOUR TAKE-HOME KIT INCLUDES two molds - one for earrings and a larger one for pendant. Also included: tweezers, jewelry glue, bails, chain, lapel pen findings, paint brushes, smoothing press, three cups for water and two colors of paint, two paint brushes, a dry set of four working pieces to paint, glue, and wear home, and instructions on how to make your own paper clay that hardens like a rock overnight.  A variety of acrylic paints will be provided but are not in the kit.

The kit is donated to ACS for resale at $35. If you are a member, the donation is $25 for instruction with 100% to benefit the future goals of ACS. Thank you for your support! 

 



The food vendor for February 15th will be Chef Al Towns who is an awesome chef who cooks awesome food!  




 

Camellia Waxing Workshop
Sunday, February 16, 2025
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Guests will also enjoy a Camellia Waxing demonstration and workshop hosted by Jonanne Beckman. Many camellia lovers will wax their favorite camellias right before a freeze, or to prepare a large number of blooms for festive decorations. Dipping camellias in a wax and mineral oil mixture preserves the blooms for days (and sometimes weeks). It gives camellias from the garden a sheen that makes them look like perfect porcelain sculptures. Waxed blooms do not need a vase or water. They can be displayed on a plate, elegant bowl, or lined up on a table top. The waxing demonstration is free with garden admission, advanced registration is required.

Middle Georgia Camellia Society
and Flint Energies Camellia Show

Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, Noon - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb 23, 2025, 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Middle Georgia Camellia Society will showcase hundreds of camellia blooms, showing diversity of sizes, shapes and colors that make camellias such a prized addition to any garden. Entries (open to all growers & the public) will be accepted from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Experts will be on hand to assist the public with preparing blooms from your home garden to enter in the show. The show will be open for public viewing, Saturday, around noon until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Show Contact: Tommy Martin
massee.lane.camellia.show@gmail.com
(478) 235-0096

 

 


Great food that you will soon not forget will be available. Be sure to buy an extra plate to take home!
 

 

Hours and Admissions

  • Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. 

  • General Admission is $10, $8 for seniors, military (with ID) and free for children under 12 and American Camellia Society members.

  • Flint Energies Co-Op Connection members are eligible for $2 dollar off the regular admission fee (please show membership card at Gift Shop to receive the discount.) (Admission discounts are not available for guided tours.)

  • Massee Lane Gardens is located at 100 Massee Lane, Ft. Valley, Georgia. Click here for driving instructions and information on the gardens

  • Call toll free at (877) 422-6355 to schedule a guided tour or to reserve a boxed luncheon. For more information, email ask@americancamellias.org
     

Schedule subject to change. Check back often to see what's new!