Camellia Show | 1–4 p.m. Daily

Wendell Mitchell Conference Center

Lurleen B. Wallace Community College

750 Greenville By-Pass, Greenville, AL

Artisans Market | 10 a.m.–4 p .m. Daily

featuring Gee’s Bend Quilt Exhibit

Beeland Park Community Center

1204 E Commerce St, Greenville, AL

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In 2023, the Greenville Camellia Society petitioned the American Camellia Society to add the camellia garden at Beeland Park to the American Camellia Trail. The historic garden was acknowledged as an important landmark deserving of recognition. Seeing the enthusiasm and dedication of the organization’s members, ACS honored their request, and designated the garden at Beeland Park as the 65th garden on the American Camellia Trail. This designation to the national trail offers our community the opportunity to promote the garden as a tourist destination.

During the 1930s, Mr. Glenn Stanley began referring to Greenville as “The Camellia City” in The Greenville Advocate. As editor of the paper, he placed the logo on its masthead.

Two camellia organizations were formed in Greenville in 1948 with Dr. Aubrey Stabler, Sr. as President: the Greenville Men’s Camellia Society and the Alabama Camellia Society. The Greenville Men’s Camellia Society began working to have Greenville officially recognized as “The Camellia City” and to have the camellia become Alabama’s state flower.

The Society convinced homemaker clubs, civic clubs and private citizens to plant camellias. A mass planting occurred for ten years in private yards, cemeteries, school grounds, City Hall, the Court House and other public grounds. Camellias were planted on holidays, inaugural celebrations, for citizens of importance, and to honor those who served in the military.

A bill to name the camellia the state flower was first introduced to the Alabama Legislature in 1949 by Butler County representatives T. Werth Thagard and Earl M. McGowin. It was presented again in 1959 by Butler County natives Representative LaMont Glass and Senator Hiram B. Taylor. Governor John M. Patterson, whose wife was Butler County native, Mary Jo McGowin Patterson, signed the bill making the camellia Alabama’s official state flower in 1959.

Greenville did officially become “The Camellia City” and was responsible for the Camellia Japonica being named the Alabama state flower.

The Greenville Camellia Society is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), volunteer service organization whose mission is to reclaim our camellia history while increasing awareness of our camellia heritage. We promote interest in and knowledge of our state flower, the Camellia Japonica, and other varieties of camellias. Our objective is to produce an annual American Camellia Society-accredited camellia show and to promote the camellia garden at Beeland Park as an important asset to our community. We also work to promote our community and increase tourism in Greenville. We are an all-inclusive organization and welcome men and women as members.

• In 2025, the Greenville Camellia Society will host Master Gardener classes for those interested in gaining Master Gardener certification. GCS members also have the opportunity to become certified ACS camellia show judge.

Executive officers are elected for a three-year term by a quorum of members at the September meeting. At the end of the three-year term, at the April meeting, the President shall request three volunteers from the membership-at-large to form a nominating committee to compile a slate of officers for the next three-year term.

The Greenville Camellia Society is an all-inclusive organization and welcomes men and women as members. Our annual membership dues are $30, payable each May at our traditional garden party.

We hold many activities and fundraisers throughout the year to support our mission. Join us as we honor our heritage as the Camellia City!

You can use this form to submit your interest in joining the Greenville Camellia Society. A member of GCS will reach out with more information regarding dues and joining your first meeting.

Camellias of all varieties are evident throughout the city as Greenville carries on its heritage as “The Camellia City.” The entire city is graced with heirloom camellia plants as well as newer gardens.

The Greenville camellias registered with the American Camellia Society (as well as the International Camellia Register) include:

Alabama’s Lurleen, Alice Jernigan, Blood of China Variegated, Dr. Cy Echols, Ed Jernigan, Glenn Stanley, LaMont Glass, Lee Ryan, Lillian Jernigan, McFerrin, Mrs. Conrad Wall, Jr., Pride of Greenville, Pride of Greenville Variegated, Robert Hendrick, Stabler Pink, True Echols, & Webb Stanley.