Gladiolus liliaceus Houtt.

A variable cormous perennial which bears only three, very long, narrow leaves to each shoot, with stems of 1-6 brown to russet to pink flowers, with pink, red or purple specks.  The flowers change to a blue colour after sunset and back to yellow as the sun rises.  Intensely fragrant in the evening.  To 70cm.  [RHSD, CECB, Hortus].  Rarely cultivated now.  

Added on October 28 2009

Acer negundo L.

Fully hardy, fast-growing, upright, deciduous tree with pinnate leaves with light green leaflets, turning yellow in autumn. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees.  To 15m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on February 19 2009

Ixia paniculata D.Delaroche

Half-hardy cormous perennial with erect lance-shaped leaves and branched stems bearing spikes of 5-18 pink-suffused, cream or pale yellow flowers in spring and summer.  To 90cm.  [RHSE, CECB].  

Added on November 14 2009

Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schldl. var. splendens

See Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schltdl.  for a description of the species.  ‘Bouvardias are grown in the greenhouse and were once very popular.  Many of the old florists kinds are supposed to be hybrids.’  [Hortus Second].  Scarlet flowers.  [JD].

Added on February 04 2009

Ruellia formosa Andr.

Frost tender, evergreen perennial subshrub with entire, opposite, ovate leaves, to 7cm long, and funnel-shaped scarlet flowers in summer.  To 60cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on February 22 2010

Aesculus hippocastanum L.

Fully hardy, vigorous, spreading, rounded tree with 5-7-palmate, mid-green leaves, with leaflets 30cm or more long, and conical panicles of white flowers, to 30cm tall, in spring and summer, followed by spiny fruits.  To 25m.  [RHSE, Hilliers’].

Added on February 21 2009

Dendrobium tetragonum A.Cunn.

Frost-tender, variable epiphytic orchid with usually pendulous, quadrangular pseudobulbs, to 50cm long, each bearing up to 5, thin leathery leaves, and short racemes of up to nine spidery, greenish yellow flowers, with reddish markings, in spring.  [RHSD, Jones, FNSW, Pridgeon, Hortus, Beadle].

Added on January 26 2010

Improvements to Hortus Camdenensis

The Hortus software has been upgraded. This led to some minor errors in the layout of plant names, particularly in the headings of Plant Profile pages but these have now been largely overcome. Improvements are also progressively being made to the content of the Hortus in three main areas, botanical and horticultural history, cross referencing and illustrations. Some enhancements will be done as the opportunity arises but most will be completed family by family. This will take at least two years to complete.

Published Sep 14, 2010 - 04:06 PM | Last updated Aug 12, 2012 - 04:36 PM

Sir William Macarthur on Vines and Vineyards

Sir William Macarthur wrote extensively on vines and Vineyards. It is our intention to publish all his writings in the Hortus.

Published Aug 01, 2010 - 04:58 PM | Last updated Oct 04, 2010 - 04:47 PM

Working Bee dates

Working Bee dates for 2012.

Published Jun 29, 2010 - 02:59 PM | Last updated Jan 10, 2012 - 05:19 PM

Open House and Gardens

Camden Park House and Gardens will be open to the public on Saturday 22nd September, 2012, from 12.00 noon until 4.00 pm, and Sunday 23rd from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

Published Dec 30, 2009 - 02:58 PM | Last updated Jan 09, 2012 - 05:31 PM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine. Part 1: Introduction

‘Letters’ is an important book in the history of wine production in Australia and this is, I believe, the first time that the full text has been made available outside the major libraries. The value of William Macarthur’s book compared with earlier Colonial publications is that it is written from the perspective of over twenty years of experience of growing grapes and making wine in New South Wales. He does include theory from the pens of European authorities but the bulk of the book is written from personal experience. He is in effect saying ‘this is what we have found to work here’.

‘Letters’ is reproduced in 10 parts, beginning with the Introduction, which provides information on the history of the book and gives a synopsis of early experiences of vine importation and wine production.

Published Aug 27, 2010 - 05:50 PM | Last updated Nov 24, 2011 - 02:57 PM

Camden Park Nursery Group

We are a small voluntary group helping to maintain and preserve the historic Camden Park gardens. There are regular meeting days, currently Tuesday and Saturday but this can be varied, but most members contribute through Working Bees held typically every third Sunday.

Published Jun 27, 2010 - 04:16 PM | Last updated Jun 27, 2010 - 04:32 PM

History of the Florists’ Gloxinia

In the 19th century the florists’ Gloxinia was a very popular plant with hundreds of varieties under propagation.  Out of fashion today, these beautiful and easily grown plants deserve to be revived.  William Macarthur would not have recognised the large, multi-coloured flowers that dominate the show bench today but the plants he grew, predominantly of the slipper, or wild type, were equally beautiful.

Published Mar 14, 2010 - 01:56 PM | Last updated Jul 26, 2011 - 04:59 PM

Raising Tropaeolum tricolor from seed

If you have tried growing Tropaeolum tricolor from seed you have probably encountered difficulty and obtained a low germination rate.  This was certainly my experience before I took this advice.

Published Jan 01, 2010 - 03:33 PM | Last updated Jul 30, 2010 - 03:38 PM