As one of only 30 camellia collections worldwide to achieve the International Camellia Society's ''Garden of Excellence'' award, it's this individuality which sets the botanic garden apart on the world stage.
New Zealand has several famous and prolific camellia breeders, who have registered about 500 new cultivars.
Two Kiwi camellias in flower early this season are worthy of a special mention.
Camellia ''Mimosa Jury'' is a perfect formal double of soft blush pink, delicate, elegant and hardier than it looks.
This beautiful and high-quality plant was bred by Mark Jury, of New Plymouth, carrying on the tradition of breeding camellias from his father, Felix and uncle, Les.
Camellia japonica ''Takanini'', flowers for six to seven months and, combined with its rich colour and good habit, is one of the most superb camellias available.
It was bred by Neville Haydon, one of the best camellia breeders and nurserymen in New Zealand over the past 35 years.
The dark plum-red anemone-form bloom has a ring of outer petals surrounding a fuller central mass of intermingled petaloids and stamens.
Check the wooden plant labels to discover if you're admiring Camellia japonica ''Takanini'', registered in 1987, or if perhaps, by chance, you've found the ancient Chinese cultivar Camellia reticulata ''Damanao'', quite possibly selected by monks around 1621.
Marianne Groothuis is the Camellia Plant Collection curator at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
