Iris scotica [Macarthur]

I have found no reference to this plant.  Like Iris lochlevensis, it seems probable that it is of Scottish origin and, of the few species of iris recorded from Britain Iris pseud-acorus L., which see, seems the most likely.  [Keble Martin].  

Added on November 07 2009

Achimenes ‘Chelsonii’

Of unknown parentage. I have no description at present.

Added on February 01 2009

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don

Frost-tender, woody-based, fleshy, evergreen perennial, erect at first, then spreading, with oblong leaves, to 5cm long, and pink, red or white, salverform flowers, to 4cm across, produced from the upper leaf axils in spring and summer.  To 60cm.  [RHSE, Hortus]. See also Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don var. albus.

Added on June 03 2009

Canna glauca L.

Half-hardy, slender, rhizomatous perennial with narrow blue-green leaves and panicles of pale yellow to dark yellow flowers, sometimes spotted or tinged with red, in summer and autumn.  To 2.2m.  [RHSE, Hortus]. 

Added on January 18 2009

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.

Frost-tender, medium-sized shrub or small tree with leaves bearing up to 8 pairs of pinnae, each with up to 20 pairs of leaflets, and sweet-scented, deep yellow flowers in summer.  To 7m.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on November 20 2009

Cyclamen persicum Mill.

Frost-tender tuberous perennial with heart-shaped leaves, often silver-marbled above and sweet-scented pink, red or white flowers on slender stems in winter and spring.  To 20cm.  The variety giganteum has larger flowers and includes the numerous varieties of florist’s cinerareas available today.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Added on January 18 2009

Aptenia cordifolia (L.f.) Schwantes

Frost tender, freely branching, succulent perennial with broadly ovate, bright green leaves and solitary red-purple flowers in summer or autumn.  To 5cm, spreading. A useful plant as a soil-binder.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Added on October 10 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 3: Grape Varieties and Diseases

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters III and IV deal with grape varieties found suitable for New South Wales, and diseases of the vine.

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 01, 2010 - 05:24 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:16 AM

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

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 1

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 - 08:45 AM | Last updated Feb 29, 2012 - 03:08 PM