Lardizabala biternata Ruiz & Pav.

Frost hardy, vigorous, evergreen climber with large leathery leaves, to 10cm long, usually monoecious, sometimes dioecious, with the male flowers borne in pendant racemes, to 10cm long, and the female flowers borne singly, in autumn and winter.  The flowers are purple-brown and white and are followed by dark purple, edible fruits, to 8cm long.  To 4m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Added on March 19 2009

Prunus avium ‘Black Eagle’

A cultivar of Prunus avium L. ‘Fruit large, growing generally by pairs or threes, many of which are flattened both at the apex and the base. Stalk long, slender. Skin deep purple, or nearly black. Flesh tender and bleeding. Juice very rich and high flavoured. Shoots very strong, with large leaves. Ripe the end of July or beginning of August.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.148/1831].

Added on April 22 2010

Taxodium mucronatum Ten.

Taxodium mucronatum is very similar to Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich., which see, but its leaves are semi-persistent in warm areas.  To 45m.  [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers']. 

Added on August 07 2009

Rosa ‘Fortuneana’

‘Fortuneana’ is a rampant climber with scented, double white flowers, as large as those of Aimeé Vibert..  [Rivers (1854, 1857, 1863), Paul (1888, 1903), Amat].

Added on February 12 2010

Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Colonel of the Blues’

For generic information on the garden carnation see Dianthus caryophyllus L.  Probably Hogg’s ‘Colonel of the Blues’ is a purple flake carnation.  ‘A little deficient in colour, but good form.’  [FC p.254/1842].

Added on April 08 2009

Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nak. var. japonica ‘Rubra’

See Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nak. var. japonica.  ‘Rubra’ is a cultivar with red flowers.  How it differs from the variety figured under Chaenomeles speciosa japonica is unclear and that illustration is also used here.  ‘Rubra grandiflora’, of low and spreading habit with large, crimson flowers, is an old variety raised in Belgium.  [Hilliers']. 

Added on February 05 2010

Camellia japonica ‘Blanda’

A cultivar of Camellia japonica L. ‘Blanda’ has a long, full, cherry red flower, the outer petals broad, expanded, crenate, sometimes striped white, the centre petals small, united in a fascicle.  [ICR].  ‘Flower tolerably large, full, of a cherry-red, No.3; petals of the circumference broad, expanded, crenated at the summit, sometimes striped with white; those of the centre small and united in a fascicle.-Very beautiful.’  [Berlèse Monography p.57/1838].

Added on June 21 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

Camellias at Camden Park

Most of the camellias grown at Camden Park are cultivars of Camellia japonica L., the ‘Common camellia’, a native of China, Korea and Japan.  The first plant introduced to Britain in 1739, and figured in Curtis's Botanical Magazine [BM t.42/1788], is close to the wild type.  It bears single red flowers in early spring but is rarely planted now and was not grown at Camden Park.  William Macarthur was an important breeder of camellias and many of the cultivars described in the Hortus were bred by him.  Unfortunately few of these have survived.  

Published Mar 13, 2010 - 02:43 PM | Last updated Jul 30, 2010 - 02:46 PM

Rambles in New Zealand - Part 2

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 - 12:18 PM | Last updated Mar 01, 2012 - 07:02 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

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