Massee Lane Gardens kicks off Festival of Camellias celebration

FORT VALLEY, Ga. — The festivities have begun at Massee Lane Gardens, as they kicked off the opening of the Festival of Camellias on Saturday, Feb. 7. This last Saturday was only the beginning, as Massee Lane Gardens will celebrate the 2026 Festival of Camellias throughout the entire month of February.

The Kick-Off Celebration allowed guests to partake in self-guided tours through the many gardens at Massee Lane, primarily the camelia garden, which had trees and bushes either already in bloom or starting to blossom. 

In addition to being able to walk through the grounds, there was an Ikebana Exhibit displayed for viewing by the Middle Georgia Chapter of the International Ikebana Society. The exhibit gave visitors a chance to see beautiful and unique flower arrangements. Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, which dates back over 600 years, originating from Buddhist floral offerings.

Botanical artist Linda Fraser was in attendance to sell her artworks as well as to discuss native plants of the southeastern United States, something she specializes in. All of her watercolor and colored pencil paintings use a real-life plant as reference, which she dates when the plant was seen and painted. She also “captures the moment in a garden” by including many colorful insects and other critters hiding or chewing on those plants.

Around 12:30, musician Nancy Dyes provided a piano ambiance over the Ikebana exhibit. In addition, there was an inflatable house & slide as well as fun art activities for children.

Next Saturday, Feb. 14, is “It’s a Valentine Kid’s Day,” and there will be a workshop with Nancy Dyes from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., a saving money workshop – Money Talks –  with Synovus Bank, and the Lozano Farms Mobile Petting Zoo.

The third Saturday will feature a “Master Gardener’s Workshop” and will have a waxing camellias workshop with Jonanne Beckman from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. “Camellia waxing” refers to an old-fashioned Southern method for preserving camellia blossoms by dipping them in melted wax. 

The final weekend, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, will be the Camellia Flower Show. The show will take place from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Middle Georgia Camellia Society will showcase hundreds of camellia blooms, showing the diversity of sizes, shapes, and colors that make camellias such a prized addition to any garden.

Entries to the show, which are open to all growers & the public, will be accepted from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. The show itself will be open for public viewing. Those interested in participating in the show can contact Tommy Martin at (478) 235-0096 or by email at massee.lane.camellia.show@gmail.com.

Massee Lane Garden will be open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. General Admission is $10, $8 for seniors, military (with ID), and free for children under 12 and American Camellia Society members. Flint Energies Co-Op Connection members are eligible for 2 dollars off the regular admission fee.

From Monday through Friday, Massee Lane will have guided tours with a boxed lunch, which can be reserved early as tours and lunches are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested can call (877) 422-6355 to schedule a guided tour or to reserve a boxed luncheon.

The tours are $10 per person, and feature admission to the Massee Lane Gardens; a video presentation on the history of Massee Lane Gardens, the American Camellia Society, and camellia species and cultivars; a short informative speech by a Horticultural Expert; and a professionally guided tour of Massee Lane Gardens. The boxed lunches will be served between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the Annabelle Lundy Fetterman Gallery and Museum.

In addition, Massee Lane Gardens will be hosting tea time on Mondays as a way to celebrate the contributions of the tea plant and its health benefits. The tea tasting is free with garden admission.

Throughout February, camellia plants will be available for purchase for about $35 per plant. There will also be a camellia plant raffle every Saturday, with tickets costing $5.