In 2007 the Orange County Camellia Society organized a “pruning trip” to Hearst Castle and members of that society, the Pomona Valley Camellia Society and Southern California Camellia Society spent a full day pruning at the Castle. In 2008, the group was invited back, and the Orange County Camellia Society organized our return trip to Hearst Castle for a day of pruning. The group included pruners, novice pruners, a video-grapher and a photographer as well as clean-up experts.
Because tours are conducted all day long we were expected to keep clippings picked up and pathways cleared. Some of the work was done on very large camellias and required the use of orchard ladders and extension cutters. Three men worked on those most of the day and finished to applause and grins of pride. (It must be a “guy thing.”) Others in our crew worked on “non-ladder” jobs with frequent climbs over rock terraces to check our work and always remembering that we were pruning for landscape and not for “show.”
Hearst gardens are well planned and maintained by a crew of only nine grounds people ably led by Christine Takahashi. The visiting workers were divided into three escorted groups with each group being given a definite assignment for the day, which we were able to complete. Our work was surely appreciated by a grateful, friendly staff.
The gardens, as well as the castle itself, are considered to be a museum so you will not find newer varieties of any of the plants, the choices having been made during the 20’, 30’s and 40’s. As the plants age or show need of replacement, they are always replaced in kind, so a ready supply of these older varieties can be a problem.
After we gathered for lunch at a stunningly beautiful old fountain overlooking the sea, we returned for another hour to finish up and work on smaller plants. After this we were treated to a complimentary tour of the castle enthusiastically guided again this year by Eric Weiss. Eric let us choose what we most wanted to see. There were many suggestions and we did them all, I think.
For me, this year, the palette of color in every direction is most memorable. Imagine old, very large azaleas with tall rhododendrons as a backdrop all in full color under oaks with sparkling clear blue sky overhead. Then, walk out where the bright sunshine highlights the roses in bloom and the many kinds of citrus growing in symmetrically planned arrangements.
The bright colors and well-groomed gardens made me happy to be there with family and friends. At the end of the day we walked along the boardwalk to the local seafood house for dinner where we shared stories and reminisced—tired, but content!
Come join us next year. There will be more work to do.
