The Camellia Society of The Potomac Valley was founded in January 1955 as an organization devoted to the culture of camellias. Its purposes are to:

  1. Stimulate interest in camellia growing in the Washington, DC area;
  2. Learn and report the best methods for growing camellias in this area;
  3. Assist beginners and answer general questions concerning camellia culture.

Programs are tailored to meet the interests of those growing camellias here in the northern part of the “Camellia Belt.”   Meetings are held the second Sunday in October, November, December, February, and March. 

An autumn mini-camellia show is usually held in conjunction with the November meeting.  An annual camellia plant sale is held at the Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD, usually in March or early April.

Every year CSPV conducts an American Camellia Society-sanctioned camellia show held in April either at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC or at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD.  The show usually features the blooms of more than 500 varieties of camellias, with a special emphasis on the more cold-hardy varieties of C. japonica growing in this area.  The show also includes greenhouse blooms and artistic arrangements of camellias.

Informative newsletters are sent by E-mail to the membership after each of the regular meetings.  Annual membership dues in the Society are $10.00 per person, due January 1st.  In addition to attending our meetings, members are eligible for discounted prices for camellias at the annual spring plant sale. 

Click here for a membership application.

2010-2011 Officers

President Leslie Zupan
1st Vice President Mark Lewellen
2nd Vice President Yoshiko Doherty
Recording Secretary Kitty Ackerman
Corresponding Secretary Alice Davis
Treasurer Kathleen Graham
Director at Large Richard Mohr
Director at Large Bill Miller
Director at Large Bill Ackerman
Director at Large Arthur Maryott
Director at Large Robin Cross
Director at Large Chris Herbstritt
Director at Large Karen Fairchild
Director at Large Randy Kobetich
Director at Large Betty Daudt