HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station and Tangipahoa Master Gardeners will host a stroll through the W. F. “Hody” Wilson Camellia Garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010, from 1-4 p.m.

The event is open to the public and free of charge.

Visitors are encouraged to wander along the trail in the 2-acre tract to see hundreds of camellia blooms. The garden contains more than 600 Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua plants.

“Hody Wilson was superintendent of the station from 1936 to 1975,” said Dr. Regina Bracy, resident coordinator of the station. “This collection was part of his breeding program during his time at the station and contains many one-of-a-kind specimens.”

The two most well-known selections released by Mr. Wilson are Manship and Jerry Wilson.

Bracy said this is an old collection of camellias; the majority were planted from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.

“This is a fine old garden,” she said. “This garden is one of 41 prestigious camellia gardens included in the American Camellia Society’s Camellia Trail.”

The Hammond Research Station is located at 21549 Old Covington Highway (Louisiana Highway 1067) east of Hammond.

Rick Bogren