A splendid garden of camellias welcomes visitors to Locarno for the camellia festival, Europe’s biggest camellia show and surpassed only by events in Japan, the native land of this beautiful flower.

The Camellia Park houses a scientific display of flowers, with over 300 varieties superbly exhibited by expert gardeners, and highlights the characteristics and rich botanic heritage of a plant that is found in many public and private gardens around Locarno.

Every year the Locarno show attracts thousands of visitors, including experts from various parts of Europe, school children and camellia enthusiasts in general to the Lake Maggiore area, where camellias have found an ideal habitat. The programme includes many side events, cultural appointments, and a flower and book market.

If you love camellias, don’t forget to visit the Gambarogno botanical gardens in Vairano, San Nazzaro, which also specialises in camellias, and the camellia collection on the Brissago islands! The camellia festival is held annually at the end of March. Dates for 2010 are 24th to 28th March. For further information see www.camelie.ch.

Access:
Park all the year
Expo from 28 March until 1st April 2011

Booking:
No

Price:
Visit park free
Expo not for free