Take an Enchanting Stroll Amongst the Camellias
February 2026 Issue
Story and Photography by Elizabeth Skenes Millen
Many places refer to themselves as “a hidden treasure” or “the best kept secret.” While some may be—or not—there is one absolutely divine place on Hilton Head Island that fits these descriptions perfectly: the camellia garden on the grounds of Honey Horn Plantation, a distinguished part of the Coastal Discovery Museum and the only public camellia garden on Hilton Head. If you haven’t been, especially now through mid-March, you are truly missing a magnificent hidden treasure.
When I married in 1992, the first home we owned was an old house in Darlington, SC, right off the town square. The home was built in the late 1800s and was later owned by a lady who was well-known for her master gardening skills and love of all things that bloomed. Her large yard, which became my yard, was a floral showcase of all sorts of plant varieties. While things would pop up here and there year-round, the most masterful part of the yard were the camellia bushes. There must have been close to 35 varieties, mostly vintage, and while she was owner, the yard was registered with the American Camellia Society, and she hosted camellia tours on and off for nearly half a century. As you can imagine, I fell in love with these gorgeous, evergreen shrubs that brilliantly filled the yard with color during the winter months. So, it is not surprising that Coastal Discovery’s camellia garden is one of my favorite places in the Lowcountry and has inspired me to expand my camellia collection at home.
In 2008, Fred Manske, a board member of Coastal Discovery Museum at the time, shared his vision and proposed starting a camellia garden in and around the huge, majestic oaks on the property. Being from the north, Fred had enjoyed growing roses but quickly learned the Lowcountry climate is not as friendly to rose bushes as it is to camellia shrubs. So, in 2009, with board approval, he and his wife, Donna, began planting camellias with a master, long-term vision in mind.
Now, years later, the garden is stunning. With 135 varieties of camellias of both historic and newer specimens, the garden is a destination in and of itself. Each variety is labeled with its name (type), photo, and description. It’s a magical place to take an afternoon stroll with your sweetheart (very romantic!) or girlfriends. And if you’d like, you can take a picnic and enjoy a nostalgic-filled afternoon that feels like you’ve stepped back in time, perhaps to your grandmother’s home in the country or one of the magnificent Lowcountry garden plantations outside of Charleston. But I can assure you, this garden is just as impressive.
In addition, guests can bring their leashed dogs as long as they are mannerly and well-picked-up-after. There are miles of walking trails on the 70-acre property extending well beyond the garden meandering along the waterfront and into the woods.
While on the grounds, be sure to visit the museum, which is filled with history, lore, art, and all things local and special to the history and heritage of Hilton Head Island. Housed in the Discovery House, which dates back to 1859, the museum is full of interesting permanent exhibits, as well as special installations in addition to many programs, classes, and guided tours for birding, beach combing, history, dolphins and more. The Museum employs a manager of natural history, a horticulturalist, an environmental educator, and archeologist. Residents are encouraged to get involved and volunteer, become a docent or possibly a guide. The opportunities are endless and welcome.
As a non-profit organization, Coastal Discovery Museum thrives on donations and fundraising events. Their largest event, Camellias and Cocktails, is this month on Friday, February 6. It all starts with a Champagne Camellia Garden Tour at 4:30 p.m. with Rex Garniewicz, President of the Museum, followed by the grand affair featuring craft cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music and a silent auction from 5-8 pm.
If you want to immerse yourself in of one of the prettiest places on the Island, be sure to put strolling through the camellia garden on your agenda. The blooming season will end by mid-March, so get there while these shrubs are putting on a full show. Be ready to be enchanted by the grandeur of it all.
Camellias Pictured:
1) Sea Foam: C. japonica—registered 1959
medium formal, double white flower.
Winter bloom
2) Bob Hope: C. japonica—registered 1979 large, dark-red, semi-double form flower
with yellow stamens. Spring bloom
3) Kramer’s Supreme: C. japonica—registered 1957 large bright res peony form flower. Spring bloom
4) Governor Mouton: (Governor of Louisiana
1942-1846): C. Japonica—historical 1934 Pure red double with blotched white
5) Star Above Star: C. japonica x C. vernalis—registered 1964 semi-double rose flower white/lavendar with yellow stamens. Fall - winter bloom
6) Tama Peacock: C. Japonica—registered 1957 Small semi-double form, red flower with white borders. Spring bloom
All Things Camellias
2/6 4:30–8 pm Cocktails & Camellias—An annual evening in the Manske Camellia Garden featuring live jazz, small plates, and auction offerings. Proceeds support the museum’s year-round educational programs, exhibitions, workshops, and tours while maintaining free public access to the grounds. $150.
Wednesdays | 2–3 pm Camellia Garden Talk & Tour—A guided walk through the Manske Camellia Garden, covering camellia history, plant identification, and care tips.
2/12 4:30–6 pm Camellias and the Art of Flower Waxing—Learn traditional waxing techniques, with hands-on instruction and time to preserve blooms to take home. $30.
2/14–2/16 Painting Camellias 3-day Workshop: botanical watercolor workshop with artist Linda Warner Constantino. $285.
For more details on all of these events, visit: coastaldiscovery.org
70 Honey Horn Drive, HHI | 843-689-6767