Went today, as far as is known the only original camellia collection still
in it's original glasshouse. When the owners eventually realised the plants
were hardy most moved them outside and used the houses for other things.
Could not believe it was also free parking. And there a decent cafe too.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...camellia-show/

Many decades ago, probably around early 1970s, they used to propagate their
old camellias and sell them to raise money to keep it going. We bought a few
then and gave most away but still have one. I took a photo of the flower up
with me but they could not ID it for me. They think it might be one of the
three trees that died since and asked if I could return with a flower and a
leaf.
Personally from looking at their trees I think it could well be Middlemiss
Red but there are only two of those known to exist so that would be too much
to hope.
We decided to purchase a C japonica "Elegans" but they only had two and as
we waited the lady in front bought the best one, typical.

-- Regards
Bob Hobden
Posting to this Newsgroup
from the W.of London. UK

That sounds like a lovely day out. Fingers crossed for you that it turns out to be the Middlemiss Red.