Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) Spreng.

Half hardy, upright, deciduous sub-shrub with linear, lance-shaped leaves and axillary clusters of cup-shaped, creamy-white flowers in summer, followed by ovoid, softly-spiny, silver-green fruit.  To 1.5m.  [RHSE, Don].

Added on February 26 2009

Cussonia thyrsiflora Thunb.

Frost tender shrub or small tree with entire or toothed, segmented leaves, to 15cm, and panicles of white flowers.  [RHSD].

Added on March 11 2009

Jacquinia aurantiaca Ait.

Frost tender, evergreen shrub with lance-shaped leaves and racemes of orange flowers.  To 1.2m.  [RHSD].

Added on March 19 2009

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Bunge

Fully hardy, rhizomatous, spreading, woody-based perennial with upright, slender red stems, obovate, wavy-margined leaves, to 9cm long, colouring in autumn, and terminal spikes of bright blue flowers, to 2cm across, in summer.  To 45cm.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Added on March 24 2009

Rosa centifolia L.

A Centifolia rose.  Gore describes the flowers of the ‘Common Cabbage’ as drooping, large, of a beautiful pink, fragrant and full.  Paul describes its flowers as rose-coloured, large and globular in form, on a vigorous bush of branching habit.  [Paul (1848, 1863, 1888, 1903), Rivers (1854, 1857, 1863), Amat].

Added on February 12 2010

Rosa ‘Madame Laffay’

Hybrid Perpetual rose.  Paul describes the flowers of ‘Madame Laffay’ as large, bright crimson-rose in colour, and the Floricultural Cabinet as deep rich rose colour, superb form and showy.  [Paul (1848, 1863, 1888), FC p.247/1847].

Added on February 12 2010

Pyrus communis ‘Gansell’s Bergamot’

‘Fruit ovate, very much flattened at the crown, of a very regular figure, quite destitute of angles, about three inches deep, and three inches and a half in diameter. Eye small, with a very short calyx. Stalk short and fleshy, thickening on the back of its bent part. Skin dull brown, like that of the Brown Beurre, a little marked with dashes of a deeper colour. Flesh white, melting, very sweet, rich, and high flavoured. Ripe the middle of November, and will keep good a month.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.380/1831].

Added on May 17 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 6: The Vintage

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters IX, X and XI deal with the vintage, including the theory and practice of fermentation and preparation for winemaking. The process of winemaking is dealt with in more detail in subsequent letters. The illustration used here is a wine label from the 1852 Muscat vintage. Follow this link to further examples of wine labels from this period.

The entire book is reproduced in the Hortus in ten parts. For background information and Macarthur’s Introduction to the book see Part 1.

Published Sep 15, 2010 - 03:53 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:15 AM

The Family Amaryllidaceae at Camden Park

Amaryllidaceae was a very significant family of plants in the history of the Camden Park gardens.  The following Essay provides a little background to these important plants.

Published Jan 01, 2010 - 05:11 PM | Last updated Jul 30, 2010 - 02:54 PM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 8: Fermentation of the Wine

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters XIV and XV describe primary and secondary fermentation of the wine. The illustration used here is a photograph of the cellars at Camden Park House.

The entire book is reproduced in the Hortus in ten parts. For background information and Macarthur’s Introduction to the book see Part 1.

Published Sep 30, 2010 - 05:11 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:14 AM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 5: Management and Replenishment of the Vineyard

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters VII and VIII deal with the management of the vineyard after planting, the use of manures and the replenishment of an exhausted vineyard. The illustration used here is Macarthur’s Plate 2, a section of a vineyard. This is referred to in detail in Part 4, however it does illustrate the method of vine culture recommended and described here, the dwarf-standard method which at this time was practiced mostly in the north of France.

The entire book is reproduced in the Hortus in ten parts. For background information and Macarthur’s Introduction to the book see Part 1.

Published Sep 09, 2010 - 05:49 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:15 AM