Chiswick House and Garden's prized collection of rare blooms will go on display for free for the first time this year at its annual Camellia Show.
The treasured flowers, believed to be the oldest collection under glass in the western world, have gone on exhibition every year since the elegant conservatory housing them was restored in 2010.
But this is the first year visitors will be invited inside for free during the show, running from February 28 to March 29 at the venue in Burlington Lane.
Clare O’Brien, director of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, said: "We have made admission free to the show this year as we want as many people as possible to come and enjoy our unique collection of camellias and learn about their fascinating history.
"We have some rare and beautiful varieties both in the conservatory and growing outside. We hope people will recognise the importance of our work and give a voluntary donation to support preserving and enhancing the Grade I listed park, enjoyed by around one million people all year for free."
The site's stunning assortment of camellias includes the Middlemist's Red, brought to Britain from China in 1804, which is one of only two such varieties known to exist in the world.
This year, gardeners can snap up a small selection of plants propagated from 12 heritage varieties in the Camellia collection as part of a conservation programme supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Also on sale will be a limited edition print by the renowned pop artist Sir Peter Blake, who lives in Chiswick, and a tote bag by the well-known local designer Marthe Armitage.
As well as seeing the plants themselves, visitors can learn about the history of the conservatory, which was designed by Samuel Ware in 1813 for the 6th Duke of Devonshire.
The extraordinary plants had been in danger of vanishing for good as the glasshouse crumbled around them late last century.
But members of the International Camellia Society rallied round to tend to them before the restoration of the striking 300ft structure was completed in June 2010.
* The Chiswick House Camellia Show 2015 will run from February 28 to March 29. The conservatory will be open from 10am to 4pm each day, except for Mondays when it is closed. Admission is free.
