San Marino in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Camellia Japonica ‘California’

Huntington Library

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 4, 2018

1. Camellia Japonica ‘California’ Marker

Inscription. 'California' is believed to be the oldest camellia plant on record in Southern California. It arrived in 1888 as an unnamed seedling and was purchased for 25 cents off a Japanese tramp steamer in Redondo Beach harbor. For nearly 70 years the plant, which bears large rose-red blooms, graced a residential property in Pico Rivera. In 1959 it was purchased by noted camellia collector Ralph S. Peer Sr., who had the specimen relocated to his home in Hollywood Hills. It was given to The Huntington in 2003.

Donated from Park Hill, the garden of Ralph and Monique Peer.

Erected by The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.

Location. 34° 7.7′ N, 118° 6.776′ W. Marker is in San Marino, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Allen Avenue south of Orlando Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino CA 91108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Huntington Flagpole (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Queensland Kauri (about 700 feet away); The Historic Rose Garden Tea Room (about 700 feet away);

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Japanese Heritage Shōya House (approx. ¼ mile away); Dry Landscape Garden (approx. ¼ mile away); Hale Solar Laboratory (approx. 0.6 miles away); George S. Patton, Jr. Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Michael White Adobe (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Marino.

More about this marker. Located at The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens, in the North Vista & Camellia garden, east of the fountain. See their website for hours, admission, map, collections, etc.

The original plastic marker was removed when the bronze plaques were added.

Also see . . . The Huntington. Website homepage (Submitted on October 9, 2018.)

Additional keywords. Huntington

Camellia Japonica ‘California’ and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 4, 2018

2. Camellia Japonica ‘California’ and Marker

Camellia Japonica ‘California’ In Bloom image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2019

3. Camellia Japonica ‘California’ In Bloom

Camellia Japonica ‘California’ image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2019

4. Camellia Japonica ‘California’

Camellia Japonica image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2019

5. Camellia Japonica

This bloom is on a smaller plant located nearby.

Plaque added in 2021 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 2, 2021

6. Plaque added in 2021

Camellia Japonica 'California'. This is the oldest camellia in Southern California, arriving from Japan in 1888. Acquired by Monique & Ralph Peer in 1959, it was relocated here from Park Hill, their Hollywood Hills home in 2003.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 2, 2021

7. Camellia Japonica ‘California’ and Marker

Tribute Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 2, 2021

8. Tribute Marker

In appreciation of Ralph S. Peer, 1892 - 1960, whose passion and expertise were instrumental to the introduction of Camellia Reticulata from China to gardens of the United States.

North Vista & Camellia Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 4, 2018

9. North Vista & Camellia Garden

The 17th-century Italian fountain was moved here in 1916. The marker is to the right of the fountain, behind the trees, across a small access road.

The Huntington Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 4, 2018

10. The Huntington Library

Designed in 1920 by Southern California architect Myron Hunt. The library contains a substantial collection of rare books and manuscripts, concentrated in the fields of British and American history and art.

Desert Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker (CC0), October 4, 2018

11. Desert Garden

One of the world's largest and oldest collections of cacti, with more than 5,000 species.

Photographed by Craig Baker (CC0), June 7, 2018

12. Mausoleum

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on February 9, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on June 6, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 3, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on October 9, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.