Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Fuchsia ‘Epsii’

In a report of Vauxhall Gardens show it was recorded as a ‘dark variety’.  At this time this usually meant a single flower with crimson tube and sepals and purple corolla.  [Gard. Chron. 1851].

Horticultural & Botanical History

The British Florist reported that ‘by far the greatest proportion of new fuchsias appear to have been obtained from Eppsii, a similarity pervading nearly the whole of them.’  [BF p.164/1844].  The breeder was presumably Epps.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1851 catalogues [T.475/1850].  V. Marshall, Nursery and Seedsman of Elizabeth Street, Hobart offered for sale the fuchsias Brown’s ‘Prince Albert’, Smith’s ‘Prince Albert’, ‘Coronet’, ‘Vesta’, ‘Wat Tyler’, ‘Kentish Bride’ and ‘Epsii’.  ‘Two of the lately imported new Fuchsias are now to be seen in blossom.  V.M. also begs to announce that he has purchased the whole of the stock of the splendid Fuchsia, “St. Clair”, imported by Mr. Moir, and which is also now ready for sale’.  [The [Hobart] Courier, 11th November 1846].  ‘Kentish Bride’, which see, was also bred by Epps.  ‘Prince Albert’ was also grown at this time and it is possible that Macarthur obtained stocks of all three via his Hobart contacts although ‘Kentish Bride’ and ‘Prince Albert’ first appeared in the catalogues in 1857.

Notes

Published Aug 15, 2009 - 04:58 PM | Last updated Sep 03, 2011 - 04:46 PM

Family Onagraceae
Category
Region of origin

Probably garden origin, England

Synonyms
Common Name

Fuchsia

Name in the Camden Park Record

Fuchsia Epsii 

Confidence level high