Gladiolus (cardinalis x tristis) x (x gandavensis) [#15]

Three way hybrid, (Gladiolus cardinalis x G. tristis) x Gladiolus x gandavensis no.15, described in Macarthur’s notebook no.4 in 1847.  ‘Smallish.  Colour pink with dark purple blotches.  Middling to tolerably good variety.’  [MP A2948-4].

Added on October 22 2009

Rhododendron indicum Sweet var. magnifica

Azalea magnifica, a hybrid bred by Messrs. Rollinson about 1857, is figured in the Illustration Horticole with large single white flowers, the upper petals shown with a brilliant orange centre, all shaded with crimson.  [IH pl.209/1859].  The variety alba magnifica is figured in the Floricultural Cabinet: ‘This is an admirable pure white variety, of exquisite form, and the petals of thick substance.’  [FC p.69/1852].  Galle considers Rollinson’s ‘Magnifica’ to be a ‘Mucronatum’ cultivar.  [See Rhododendron indicum Sweet var. alba].  

Added on June 04 2009

Prunus persica ‘Elruge’

A Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. cultivar. ‘Flowers small. Fruit middle-sized, rather more long than broad. Skin greenish yellow on the shaded side; but when exposed to the sun, of a dark red or purple colour. Flesh greenish yellow, melting and juicy, of a very excellent flavour, and separates from the stone. Ripe the beginning and middle of August.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.289/1831].

Added on June 03 2010

Rhododendron indicum ‘Refulgens’

Probably a cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘[Azalea refulgens is] a showy orange-red; very pretty […] bright scarlet, with darker blotch and spots.  Flower large, and plant four feet by four.  It deserves to be in any collection.’  [FC p.138/1848].  Listed as a good garden variety by later editions of Paxton's Dictionary. 

Added on January 16 2009

Michelia figo (Lour.) Spreng. var. anonaefolia

For details of the species see Michelia figo (Lour.) Spreng.  ‘It differs from fuscata in its leaves being narrower and the flowers more purple; the plant is also more delicate.  If these distinctions are not very strong, they may be deemed satisfactory in a genus composed of few individuals all of which are of a noble and interesting character.’  [LBC no.1072/1825].

Added on March 20 2009

Passiflora hybrid no.10

A Camden Park raised hybrid, (Passiflora kermesina x Passiflora caerulea) x Passiflora kermesina.  ‘No.#10, described only as P. floribunda fertilised by P. kermesina, was sent to Loddiges’ on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1, p.185].  No.12 was also sent to Loddiges’ nursery and is of the same parentage.

Added on January 31 2010

Dendranthema x grandiflorum ‘Pink’

A cultivar of Dendranthema x grandiflorum Kitam. Ranunculus-flowered chrysanthemum.  Probably the plant listed as var. pink in the catalogues. ‘Also called the Lilac.  Resembles the last [the Buff or Copper, which see] in all things but colour, and is now the most common kind in cultivation.’  [MB p.90/1834].

Added on April 15 2009

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 7: The Vintage (Continued)

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters IX, X and XI, reproduced in Part 6, dealt with the vintage, including the theory and practice of fermentation and preparation for winemaking. The vintage is continued in Part 7, letters XII and XIII giving a description of grape harvesting and crushing. The illustration used here is an excellent lithograph showing the grape harvest at the third vineyard at Camden Park in 1878.

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 24, 2010 - 05:07 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:14 AM

Rambles in New Zealand - part 3

Rambles in New Zealand is the only published work of John Carne Bidwill of any length and an important document in the early colonial history of that country.
It is included in the Hortus for a number of reasons but mainly because, together with his letters to The Gardeners’ Chronicle, it completes the known published works of Bidwill. His importance in the history of the Camden Park gardens and the lack of any substantive treatment of his life and achievements make it appropriate to include all his published work here.
Rambles is published here in four parts:
Part 1 – dedication, Preface, pages 1-29
Part 2 – pages 30-59
Part 3 – pages 60-89
Part 4 – pages 90 -93, List of Subscribers

Published Feb 29, 2012 - 02:11 PM | Last updated Mar 01, 2012 - 07:02 AM

Rambles in New Zealand - Part 4

Rambles in New Zealand is the only published work of John Carne Bidwill of any length and an important document in the early colonial history of that country.
It is included in the Hortus for a number of reasons but mainly because, together with his letters to The Gardeners’ Chronicle, it completes the known published works of Bidwill. His importance in the history of the Camden Park gardens and the lack of any substantive treatment of his life and achievements make it appropriate to include all his published work here.
Rambles is published here in four parts:
Part 1 – dedication, Preface, pages 1-29
Part 2 – pages 30-59
Part 3 – pages 60-89
Part 4 – pages 90 -93, List of Subscribers

Published Feb 29, 2012 - 02:37 PM | Last updated Mar 16, 2015 - 02:13 PM

“The Blight” and the Camden Vineyards

Although the general heading of this collection of essays is ‘William Macarthur on Winemaking’ the two letters and two editorials from the Sydney Herald reproduced here are not from William’s pen. They concern the vine blight and its possible causes but also give an interesting perspective on the vineyards at Camden Park and on the esteem with which the Macarthur’s, particularly William, were held as vine growers as early as 1831. This makes them a worthwhile contribution to the story of the Camden Park wineries.

Published Jul 11, 2011 - 12:27 PM | Last updated Jul 17, 2011 - 05:31 PM