Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze

Frost-tender tree with somewhat descending branches, raised at the ends, spreading horizontally in whorls of up to 8, and with globose female cones to 16.5 cm. The lower branches tend to be lost early, the mature trees having tall, bare trunks topped with wide-spreading branches.  To 35m.  [RHSD, Hortus]. 

Added on January 24 2009

Rosa chinensis Jacq.

A vigorous rose it is continually flowering, its crimson buds opening to silvery-pink, loosely-double or semi-double blooms with a delicate scent, usually in clusters, and darkening almost to crimson with age.  In my garden it is almost evergreen, never out of flower, and grows comfortably to 2m.  I have one bush growing as a low climber against a partly shaded house wall that has grown to more than 3m tall but is now regularly cut to the ground only to vigorously shoot again.

Added on February 19 2009

Gladiolus trichonemifolius Ker-Gawl.

A dwarf species with 3, narrowly linear leaves and a lax flower spike bearing up to 4, fairly large, funnel-shaped, white or dull to bright yellow blooms, often tinged with purple, mauve or red on the outside, and with purple or red lines on the lower lobes, in winter and spring.  [RHSD, CECB].  

Added on October 28 2009

Hippeastrum puniceum (Lam.) Voss

A variable bulbous perennial with many naturally occurring varieties.  2-4 flowered umbels bear bright green flowers, red at the base, followed by 6-8 strap-shaped leaves, to 45cm long.  The flower colour of varieties can range from orange to scarlet with white, yellow or green markings.  Hybridises freely.  [Baker Am., RHSD, Hortus].  

Added on May 10 2009

Ixia monodelpha D.Delaroche blue form

See Ixia monodelpha D.Delaroche.  This is a form with blue flowers as illustrated.

Added on November 13 2009

Hymenaea courbaril L.

Frost tender, evergreen tree with pointed, oblong-ovate leaves and large yellow, purple-striped flowers.  To 20m.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on December 23 2009

Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Hardy evergreen shrub with downy shoots and opposite, narrow, lance-shaped leaves, dark above and pale beneath.  The pale violet flowers are borne in the leaf axils of the previous years growth.  To 2m.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on February 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 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

Establishing an Orchard in Colonial Australia

Every Colonial gentleman with a household to maintain needed to keep an orchard of sufficient size to meet the needs of his kitchen and dining table at all times of the year. In 19th century Australia planting trees was an almost entirely manual operation, and establishing an orchard an expensive undertaking. William Macarthur developed a thriving and profitable nursery business in the 1840s, with an extensive and varied catalogue of plants for sale but heavily dependent on trees and shrubs, particularly fruit-bearing trees such as vines, oranges, apples, pears, plums, peaches and apricots. It was in the interests of Macarthur to ensure that the plants he sold were of high quality and that when received by the customer his plants not only survived but thrived and were productive. To this end he published a brief but detailed guide to what needed to be done to ensure that the planting of trees was as successful as possible and provided the best long-term results for his customers.

Published Jun 26, 2010 - 04:30 PM | Last updated Jun 26, 2010 - 04:36 PM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 4: Forming the Vineyard and Planting Vines

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters V and VI deal with the formation of the vineyard and planting the vines. The illustration used here is Macarthur’s Plate 1, a ground plan for a vineyard. This is probably based on his own third vineyard, commenced c.1830.

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 05, 2010 - 05:03 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:15 AM