Pillnitz Camellia, Historical tree in Pillnitz Palace Gardens, Germany
The Pillnitz Camellia is an impressive shrub about 9 meters tall with a crown roughly 12 meters in diameter, situated in the gardens of Pillnitz Palace. Each year from February through April, it produces thousands of carmine flowers that fill the garden with color.
Court Gardener Terscheck planted this specimen in 1801, making it one of Europe's oldest Camellias at approximately 250 years old. Its long existence reflects the enduring nature of royal garden culture and careful tending across generations.
This tree represents the passion of European royal courts in the 18th century for exotic plants from distant lands. Visitors can see today how such rare specimens were cultivated in special gardens to display the power and wealth of ruling families.
During colder months, a mobile glass structure weighing around 54 tons is placed over the tree to protect it from frost. The interior is artificially heated and ventilated to maintain the right temperature and humidity levels.
The shrub survived a fire that destroyed its former wooden protective structure, with firefighter water freezing into an ice shell around it during the subsequent frost. This unexpected event demonstrates the resilience of this remarkable specimen under extreme conditions.
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