Now, it is official.
The collection has received recognition as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence from the International Camellia Society, one of only 29 gardens worldwide so honoured.
The award comes hot on the heels of recent confirmation the Botanic Garden has retained its status as a Garden of International Significance.
Botanic Garden and Cemeteries team leader Alan Matchett said the Botanic Garden was nominated by the New Zealand Camellia Society to join the International Camellia Society Garden of Excellence scheme in April last year.
The nomination was followed by an extensive assessment of the collection by International Camellia Society president Pat Short, last August.
The Dunedin Botanic Garden camellia collection was initiated in the 1950s, with a variety of japonica and sasanqua plantings.
There are now more than 700 camellia plants, representing 600 named cultivars, hybrids and species.
During her visit to inspect the garden, Mrs Short said it was nicely laid out, and some thought had been put into organising the plantings.
"They're not higgledy-piggledy and the surroundings are very pleasant," she said.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull expressed his pride in the efforts of garden staff in maintaining the garden to international standards and the affection in which the public holds the Botanic Garden.
"[Camellia Collection curator Marianne Groothuis] and the team have done a wonderful job.
"These two acknowledgements demonstrate their hard work and dedication.
"The Dunedin public's appreciation of this superb asset is now fully endorsed by two international organisations and I congratulate all those involved."
A certificate acknowledging Dunedin's International Camellia Garden of Excellence was recently presented to Ms Groothuis during the International Camellia Society's annual conference in Kunming, China.
Collections supervisor Barbara Wheeler was delighted with the recognition.
"We're stoked. To have two international awards is fabulous, and it's great reward for all the hard work put in by past and present staff."
Being a garden of excellence meant Dunedin was now on the map as a place to go to see one of the best camellia gardens in the world, she said.
"Dunedin residents should take a huge amount of pride and appreciation from this."
