Descanso Gardens' Camellia Festival Feb. 9 and 10

The Camelllia Festival, a Descanso Gardens winter tradition, promises to be twice the fun this year when it extends to a two-day celebration of its namesake flower. The Camellia Festival will be Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9-10, at the botanic garden in La Cañada Flintridge. Descano Gardens is home to the largest camellia collection in North America and is designated as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. The annual Camellia Festival celebrates this collection with fun for young and old. Faery Tours of the Enchanted Forest | Saturday | 9:30 am - noon  The lovely fairies of A Faery Hunt Theatre lead these tours for children and adults. Learn flower facts, hear tales of enchantment, and be prepared for surprises along the way. Tours are about 20 minutes long. Come early -- this adventure fills quickly! Free with admission; first come, first served. Tea Time With Chado Tea | both days | 10 am - 2 pm  Tea, the world's favorite beverage, comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. The experts at Chado Tea of Pasadena will provide tea tastings, offer information and sell select teas. At 11:30 am Jordan Essey from Chado will discuss the origin of tea, how it is processed and categorized, in a presentation in Van de Kamp. Free with admission. Camellia Walk & Talk | both days | 10:30 am, noon & 1:30 pm  Camellia horticulturists lead these explorations of the Camellia Garden. Learn to identify the different kinds of camellias, and get plant care advice from the pros. And enjoy a winter ramble through these gorgeous blooms. Free with admission. Curator's Camellia Lecture | Saturday | 1:30 pm  Curator Wen Wang will discuss the depth and variety of Descanso Gardens' famous Camellia Collection. Free with admission. Tea Ceremony | Sunday | 11 am & 2 pm  Witness a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the Minka. A limited number of tickets are available online only at ticketweb.com for $10 each. Admission to Descanso Gardens is $8 general, $6 seniors/students with I.D., $3 children 5 to 12; children 4 and younger free. Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. Information: (818) 949-4200 or www.descansogardens.org.      About Descanso Gardens: Established as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge 91011. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums.