Fuchsia Stokes’ ‘Duke of Wellington’

Probably Stokes’ ‘Duke of Wellington’: ‘Tube and sepals a rich crimson, corolla violet. Fine florist flower.’  [FC p.279/1854].  

Added on August 14 2009

Lobelia laxiflora H.B. & K.

Half-hardy perennial or sub-shrub with toothed, lance-shaped leaves and red and yellow flowers.  To 1.5m.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on October 01 2009

Luculia gratissima Sweet

Frost-tender, erect then spreading evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub or small tree, with downy, red-flushed stems, lance-shaped pointed leaves with prominent veins, to 20cm long, and corymbs, to 20cm wide, of fragrant, long-tubed, salverform pink flowers, to 4cm long, from autumn to winter.  To 6m.  [RHSE, Hilliers', Hortus].

Added on February 08 2010

Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Fully hardy, vigorous, woody, evergreen or semi-evergreen, twining climber with paired, ovate, sometimes lobed leaves, to 8cm long, and axillary pairs of tubular, very fragrant, often purple-flushed, white flowers, to 4cm long, ageing to yellow, throughout the summer, followed by blue-black berries.  To 10m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers'].

Added on July 08 2009

Camellia japonica ‘Pallas’

A cultivar of Camellia japonica L. Camden Park bred, seedling 49/52.  ‘Dark bright crimson, very double with several centres like Juno, quite irregular.  Good.’  William Macarthur.  [MP A2948-6].  

Added on June 30 2009

Prunus domestica ‘Damson’

Generally considered a Prunus domestica L. cultivar but see notes below. ‘Damson, Common Damson, Round Damson. Fruit very small, roundish-ovate. Skin deep dark purple or black, covered with thin bloom. Flesh greenish-yellow, juicy very acid, and rather austere till highly ripened, and separating from the stone. Shoots downy. A well-known preserving plum. Ripe in the end of September.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.236/1860]. The Damson is often placed in a separate species, Prunus insititia L., or separated as a subspecies, insititia, of Prunus domestica L. Damson varieties were in the past usually raised from stones.

Added on May 27 2010

Picea glauca (Moench) Voss var. caerulea

A large, conical tree with decurved branches, ascending at the tips.  The form caerulea has silvery, grey-blue leaves.  [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers'].

Added on July 19 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 Nov 05, 2011 - 04:10 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 - 03:47 PM

Working Bee dates

Working Bee dates for 2012.

Published Jun 29, 2010 - 02:59 PM | Last updated Jan 10, 2012 - 04:19 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 - 01:58 PM | Last updated Jan 09, 2012 - 04:31 PM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 9: Preparation of Wine

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters XVI and XVII describe the manufacture of wine from secondary fermentation to bottling and storage. The illustration used here is Plate 3 from Letters, which illustrates some of the equipment used in the manufacture of wine, described here and in earlier parts.

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 Oct 03, 2010 - 09:34 AM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:13 AM

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 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

“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