It was the Conde de Carvalhal who introduced the Camellias to the island in about 1810 and started the collection here at Palheiro with the Cam. Japonicas, red, pink, white, and striped flowers ; most of the plants at that time probably came from Portugal.
From the gate house along the drive to the: "largo" there are many huge and very old Camellias. You also see them along the Quinta wall and planted as wind breakers in the garden. There is also the impressive Camellia avenue planted in 1890.
Mildred Blandy introduced a lot of exciting new plants between 1950-70's; amond them Cam. Reticulata, Sasanqua and the lovely and rare Cam. Granthamiana from Hong Kong. You will find these trees in the Ribeira do Inferno, the main garden, around the chapel and the "Casa Velha do Palheiro" now a Country House Hotel on the property.
