International Camellia Society, ICS, Benelux Region

Benelux Region
of the

International Camellia Society (I.C.S.)

About our Region

The name relates to a group of three countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. We are surrounded by Germany, France, and the North Sea.
We are enjoying a temperate, maritime climate here (many find it a bit too wet and cloudy). Statistically, most of us are in USDA zone Z8, some in Z7.
Camellia japonica cultivars can be grown outside in most parts of the Benelux, as can many hybrids, and cultivars of Camellia sasanqua. In the East, a bit more distant from the sea, many people overwinter them in greenhouses. New varieties and hybrids, with better cold resistance, are being tested out by members of our chapter.

Camellia collections in the Benelux

One should be aware that, as yet, there are no ancient (full-grown) Camellias gardens in the Benelux. Until recently, hardly any camellias were planted in the open over here - they were thought to be too frost tender. Still, a few collections are worth mentioning:

l 1: the Royal Greenhouses at Laeken.
    One of the oldest camellia collections in the world. The greenhouse are only open to the public for a few days each year.
l 2: the Provincial Domain Bokrijk:
    Bokrijk is a large estate, there is also an open air museum (old Flemish cottages). The camellia plantings are mostly found dispersed in the arboretum (15 ha).
l 3: the Arboretum in the Provincial Property 'Het Leen' (Gentsesteenweg 80, 9900 Eeklo).
    One of the few camellia plantings in the open within the Benelu
l 4: the botanical garden of Leuven ("Kruidtuin"):
    The oldest botanical garden of Belgium. Recently, effortts have started to plant old Belgian Camellia cultivars.
l 5: the Hortus Botanicus at the Free University in Amsterdam (Van de Boechorststraat, 8, Amsterdam).
    Some large specimens. Not to be confused with the other Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam (which is situated at the Plantage Middenlaan 2a).
l 6: the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden (Rapenburg 73, Leiden).
    Some camellia species can be seen here.

At the moment, several camellia gardens are being laid out (Boskoop, Bokrijk, Brussels).

Our regional activities

Many books deal with the history of the Camellia; most of you will know how, in the Nineteenth Century, Belgium has played a major role in the introduction of new Camellia sports and varieties. Ghent and Liège were the major centers, but plants were raised all over the region. As one of our activities, we are trying to revive interest in those old cultivars.

And, of course, we try to promote the creation of new Camellia gardens.

Our group has also been making yearly excursions, for example: to the Camellia growers in Boskoop (The Netherlands), to the Royal Greenhouses at Laeken (Belgium), to the Camellia nurseries and gardens in Brittany (France).
More details can be found on our 'activities' page.

In addition to their yearly copy of the International Camellia Journal, our local members receive two periodic Newsletters in Dutch and/or French.

Membership

The yearly membership fee for our ICS region is 20 eur, as well for a single person as for a married couple or for two people living together. You can join our ICS region by paying the appropriate amount to one of our Membership representatives:
- For Belgium and Luxembourg:
I.N.G. Bank account 340-1067489-42 in the name of:
Marc De Coninck/I.C.S, Place St. Sebastien 28, 1420 Braine-L'Alleud, Belgium (tel. 02.384.61.95) (E-mail: decoan@skynet.be)
- For Holland:
S.N.S Bank account 921774028 in the name of:
George Seppen/I.C.S, Loseweg 141, 7315 DB Apeldoorn, Nederland (tel. 055-3015763). (E-mail: rhodoca.george@kpnplanet.nl)

Please send the Membership representative an e-mail to confirm the name of the new member, the address, and the eventual telephone number (click the name to start a mail).

Marc De Coninck is also our regional Director and can be contacted for any further information.

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