Dianthus caryophyllus Sharpe’s ‘Agitation’

For generic information on the garden Carnation and Picotee see Dianthus caryophyllus L.  Sharpe’s ‘Agitation’ is a purple edged picotee.  ‘When in a weak state the flowers are apt to come out of character, and then present nothing remarkable.  On the contrary, when the layers are strong and well grown, it is one of the very best purple edges in cultivation, and would attract the eye in a moment amongst a thousand.  It is fine in form, purity and marking.’  [Gard. Chron. 1846].

Added on April 12 2009

Paphiopedilum insigne (Wall. ex Lind.) Pfitzer

Frost-tender terrestrial orchid with lance-shaped, yellowish leaves, to 30cm long, and solitary ladies’ slipper flowers, to 10cm across, yellow-bronze in colour, with pale green–yellow, spotted upper sepals, but very variable in colour and size.  To 15cm.  There are many named forms.  [RHSE, Pridgeon].

Added on January 24 2010

Camellia japonica ‘Rossii’

A cultivar of Camellia japonica L. ‘Rossii’ is a seedling of ‘Anemoniflora’ with deep red flowers, the petals finely veined.  [ICR, FC p.186/1835].  ‘Leaves large, ovate-lanceolate, curled, recurved towards the stock, very dentate, of a full green; bud with green scales; flower double, three inches in diameter, of a fine cherry-red, No.4, sometimes spotted. – Very beautiful.’  [Berlèse Monography p.80/1838].

Added on July 01 2009

Crataegus monogyna Jacq. var. plena

For information on the species see Crataegus monogyna Jacq. The variety commonly called plena has double white flowers, ageing to pink.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on February 05 2010

Vitis vinifera ‘Bidwill’s Seedling’

‘Bunches, large, long, loose, and shouldered. Berries, large and round. Skin, thin, quite black, and covered with a thin blue bloom. Flesh, tender, melting, and juicy, but with a most disagreeable earthy flavour, which seems peculiar to it, as I have never met with this variety without it. It ripens very well against a wall, in the West of England, by the end of October. The leaves die yellow.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.372/1884].

Added on June 24 2010

Dianthus caryophyllus Mansley’s ‘Robert Burns’

For generic information on the garden carnation see Dianthus caryophyllus L.  Crimson bizarre.  ‘Petals well formed, crimson red, white pure, colour well divided. [Gard. Chron. 1842].  ‘A fine and double flower.’  [Gard. Chron. 1843].  ‘Good pod and well formed petals, large flower, excellent colour and marker. This variety took the first prize at the London floricultural exhibition this year.’  It was described as a pink bizarre.  [FC p.276/1842].

Added on April 08 2009

Juniperus communis L. var. cracovia

Juniperus communis is a hardy, variable, evergreen, spreading shrub to small, columnar tree, with sharp pointed leaves borne in threes, with white bands on the inner faces, and ovoid fruit, green ripening to blue over 3 years.  To 6m.  The type species is widespread in the northern hemisphere.  The variety cracovia is is an erect, robust variety with pendulous, terminal branchlets from Poland.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on August 02 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

Some Account of the Vineyards at Camden

The vineyards of Camden Park are widely considered to be the first commercial vineyards in Australia. James and William Macarthur were certainly not the first to sell wine for profit or the first to export wine but were pioneers in the development of vineyards intended to produce a profit from the sale of quality wine. Prior to this wine was produced from small vineyards planted primarily for home consumption, with excess sold and sometimes exported.

The first vineyard was small, only one acre in extent, and largely experimental, but the second and third were on a much grander scale. As the closing words of this pamphlet demonstrate, James and William certainly had a vision of what was possible for Australian wine production, as they had previously for fine Merino wool.

‘Whether these Colonies can also hope to provide for the benefit of every class here at home, and at an equally moderate rate another exportable product, remains yet to be seen — so that even the tired artizan, in his hours of relaxation from toil, may not unseldom exclaim, “Go Fetch me a quart of (Australian) Sack.” ’

This short pamphlet outlining the Camden vineyards was produced to accompany samples of wine to the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851.

Published Jan 10, 2011 - 04:54 PM | Last updated Jan 10, 2011 - 05:07 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

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

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