The Lyman Estate Greenhouses are in Waltham, Massachusetts, on the historic Lyman Estate grounds, just about 40 miles from Scituate. Built in the early 1800s, they’re some of the oldest greenhouses still standing in the country and were used by the Lyman family to grow fruit, flowers, and other plants that couldn’t survive New England winters. The greenhouse includes several different houses, like the Grape House, Camellia House, Palm House, and Orchid House, each designed for specific types of plants. The greenhouses are run by Historic New England and are open to visitors for a small donation, $5 is suggested.
We visited the Lyman greenhouses on January 2nd. After seeing snow for too long over the holidays, I was craving a little greenery. I think they’re most famous for the camellias that bloom every February into March. January is early, but I hoped that maybe we’d get lucky. We did! The camellias are blooming early this year!
How gorgeous! There are many varieties, and they were just starting to bloom. Some of the bushes are over 100 years old and originate from Japan and Korea. Camellias can be grown in warmer climates in the US, but sadly, in the North East we are out of luck without a greenhouse. There are some newer, hardier varieties that might be an option. I’ll research more.
The estate itself can be toured on certain days and can also be rented out for events and weddings. Overall, I would say this is worth the visits, but try to time it to see the camellias.
Camellias remind me of a painting I love. Choosing by George Frederic Watts is an 1864 oil painting. It shows the young actress Ellen Terry (his wife) holding camellias, flowers linked to beauty, luxury, and worldly appeal. Camellias are scentless, which hints at attraction without real substance. She turns instead toward small violets, which represent humility, modesty, and quiet goodness. Together, the flowers highlight a choice between surface-level glamour and deeper, more meaningful values. The painting is part of the National Portrait Gallery in London.
