This U.S. City Is the 'Camellia Capital of the World'-and Winter Is the Best Time to See Full Blooms

"Spring gets all the hype when it comes to enchanting gardens and spectacular wildflower blooms, but in some destinations, winter is prime time to take in floral phenomenon. And in January and February, Sacramento, California, is one place flower lovers will definitely want to visit. The northern California city is known as the "camellia capital of the world" for its annual explosion of the lush flowering plant. Tens of thousands of camellias cover the city this time of year, bringing pops of pink and red colors amid mild temperatures."

"Native to Southeast Asia, camellias first made their way to California during the Gold Rush, when agriculturist James Lloyd Lafayette Franklin Warren brought seeds from Boston. Celebrating camellias has been a treasured tradition in Sacramento ever since, with citizens planting them everywhere from residential neighborhoods to downtown streets. The state-capitol city even adopted camellias as its official flower in 1941."

Sacramento blooms with camellias in winter, drawing visitors in January and February when tens of thousands of plants display pink, red, and multi-colored flowers. Camellias arrived from Southeast Asia during the Gold Rush when James Lloyd Lafayette Franklin Warren brought seeds from Boston, and residents have long planted them across neighborhoods and downtown; camellias became the official city flower in 1941. Camellia Grove in Capital Park features towering trees and more than 800 varieties, and the Camellia Society of Sacramento Show stages contests and displays in early spring. Winter’s mild weather and lower crowds complement historic sites like Old Sacramento.

Read at Travel + Leisure