Tan's Camellia Garden...(Flower and Herb Garden)

Red Anthurium

What prompted me to write about this place? Well, this place is actually a hidden gem in Cameron Highlands. I have been to Cameron Highlands a number of times but not here. This is my first time here.

The signboard leading to Tan's Camellia Garden

The relaxing garden

First of all, it is more of a private garden (than a commercialized one). However, no entrance fee is required. My advice is not to be taken aback by its deserted look. Actually, it is not.

The tudor-styled house

The Anthuriums growing on the ground

Secondly, this garden is well-cared by Mr. Tan Chin Pa (B Sc). He is a very passionate man about his work here and the owner of this place. He lives in the tudor-styled house located in his garden. He has done researches and crossbred Anthuriums in his garden for over 20 years. He has over a hundred types of Anthuriums of different colours, sizes and shapes. Almost every Anthurium is different.

Distinctive pink veins on the Anthurium

A pink Anthurium

A white Anthurium

The Anthuriums in pairs

For future crossbreeding

Last but not least, this is also a herb garden. Camellia plants can actually grow very tall and they can be planted on the ground. Camellia flower is not only for aesthetic purpose but it has also medicinal value. Dried camellia flowers can be made into tea and bring health benefits. It used to cost a lot to buy a Camellia plant from overseas. But now, they are available here at a reasonable price.

A pink Camellia

Red Camellia

Besides this, he also introduced to us the Ashitaba plant. This plant is also called “Angelica Keiskei Koidzmi”. This plant has vitamin B12 and brings a lot of health benefits like lowering cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and preventing cancer. You can eat the leaves and stems raw. Mr Tan let us try tasting them. I disliked the leaves as they had a bitter taste but the stems tasted much better. Well, it is for good health.

My Ashitaba plants

He also sells potted plants of Anthurium, Ashitaba and other herbs. So, we bought three Ashitaba plants and an “onion-tasted” herb for our home. I would say my visit to Tan’s Camellia Garden was an educational one. If you are curious like me and want to see something different than the usual strawberry farm or cactus house, well this is the place for you!

Location:

If you are coming from Ringlet, it is on your left before you reach the Convent school. It is just behind Oly Apartment in Tanah Rata.

My Ashitaba plants did not thrive well in the hot weather in Penang. Two plants died after a week. My last one dried up after surviving for four months. A good thing is my two pots of herbs are still growing well. (Updated 14 Dec 2012)

This was the last Ashitaba plant...

My "onion-tasted" herb is growing well.