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.  Since then, this has been an annual event. 

On 4/17/10 a group of volunteers from various Southern California Camellia Societies arrived with gloves, pruning shears and lunch bags at Hearst Castle in San Simeon for the 4th annual pruning mission.  Horticulturists on staff selected target areas and guided the group in pruning consistent with the Castle's landscape objectives.  The group was divided into 3 teams:  the "ladder team" was assigned to the theater terrace;  the "walkway team" hedged Camellias along a staircase, and the "cutting team" potted cuttings of desirable and unidentified Camellias which were being pruned.

Sizing up the job

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.  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.” Those not inclined to climb up ladders or over terraces helped out potting cuttings or cleaning up.

Previous year's work

Hearst gardens are well planned and maintained by a small crew of grounds people. Our volunteers were divided into 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.

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.