Selected plants in the Hortus
Scilla peruviana L.
A bulbous perennial with a basal cluster of up to 15, semi-erect, lance-shaped leaves, to 60cm long, and tall, conical racemes of up to 100 star-shaped, reddish or purplish blue, sometimes white, flowers in summer. To 30cm. [RHSE, Hortus].
Added on January 09 2010
Dahlia ‘Sir F. Bathurst’
Keynes’ ‘Sir F. Bathurst’. ‘Crimson, fine petal, very symmetrical in arrangement and true outline, of great depth, but rather flat in centre.’ It was awarded a First class certificate in 1849. [FC p.4/1850]. ‘Seedlings were numerous but there was nothing amongst them very striking [except] ‘Sir F. Bathurst’, a crimson of fine form, and apparently constant’. [Gard. Chron. 1849]. It was considered to be one of the best dahlias sent out in the years 1848-50, particularly admirable because it ‘throws [its] blooms well up above the foliage and is of good habit.’ In 1853 it was among ‘dahlias expected to be extensively cultivated this year’. [Gard. Chron. 1853]. It was also among the prize takers at the great exhibition of dahlias held in Edinburgh in 1855, and again at the Grand National Dahlia Show, September, 1858. [Gard. Chron. 1855 and 1858].
Added on April 21 2009
Rhododendron indicum ‘Ramentacea’
Probably a cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘Received from Mr. Fortune, May 8, 1846, and said to be from Hong Kong. This has something [of] the aspect of the common white Chinese Azalea, with smaller flowers, but it appears to be in reality a very distinct species. The leaves are often nearly round, and at the most are only oblong. The flowers have but five stamens; the sepals are very short, and bordered with long ramentaceous hairs at the edge, although they are naked on the back. There are no glands or setae on either calyx or flower-stalks. It is a dwarf evergreen shrub, requiring the same kind of treatment as other species of Chinese Azalea, and easily increased by cuttings in the usual way. It is very pretty and distinct, and deserves general cultivation.’ [JHS iv. 291/1849].
Added on June 07 2009
Pyrus communis ‘Winter Nélis’
‘Fruit above the middle size, somewhat oval, broadest in the middle, narrowed towards the crown, and a little more so towards the stalk, about three inches and a quarter long, and two inches and three quarters in diameter. Eye open, slightly sunk in a rather narrow basin. Stalk one inch and a half long, inserted in a narrow and rather deep cavity. Skin dull greyish green, full of grey dots, covered partly, especially on the sunny side, with a brownish-grey russet. Flesh yellowish white, melting, buttery. Juice plentiful, sugary, rich, high flavoured, with a musky perfume. In perfection in December and January’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.409/1831].
Added on May 19 2010
Paeonia species unidentified [1]
An unidentified plant, probably a form of one of the commoner species described elsewhere.
Added on January 29 2010
Ilex aquifolium L. var. variegata
For a description of the species see Ilex aquifolium L. A large number of variegated garden varieties are available, with gold, silver or cream-coloured markings.
Added on March 18 2009
Prunus persica ‘Royal Kensington’
A Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. cultivar. For more detailed information on this peach see Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. var. ‘Grosse Mignonne’, ‘Royal Kensington’ being a recognised synonym of this old peach.
Added on June 03 2010
News
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
Essays
Rambles in New Zealand - part 3
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 - 02:11 PM | Last updated Mar 01, 2012 - 07:02 AM
Rambles in New Zealand - Part 4
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 - 02:37 PM | Last updated Mar 16, 2015 - 02:13 PM
Thomas Harris (1885-1948)
Thomas Harris, born in Worcestershire in 1885, was a gardener at Camden Park from 1913 to 1938.
Published Aug 16, 2012 - 11:09 AM | Last updated Mar 16, 2015 - 02:12 PM
Australian native plants in the Hortus
Australian native plants were important to the gardening enterprises of Camden Park. Even today Australian trees such as Araucaria species, Agathis robusta, Brachychiton populneum, Lagunaria pattersonia, Grevillea robusta and several species of palm very much define the landscape of the gardens. Australian plants, particularly native orchids and ferns, were sent to England in large numbers in exchange for the exotic plants that were so much desired by Macarthur and his fellow colonists.
Published Mar 13, 2010 - 05:22 PM | Last updated Jul 30, 2010 - 02:32 PM
About the Hortus
The Hortus attempts to correctly identify, describe, illustrate and provide a brief history of all the plants grown at Camden Park between c.1820 and 1861.
Plants in the Hortus
The Hortus plants served a wide range of purposes: ornament, living fences, fibre, dyestuffs, medicine, food from the garden and orchard, and many others.
Plant Families
Plants in the Hortus are grouped by Family, perhaps the most useful of the higher order classifications.
Essays
Essays enhance the Hortus by providing a level of detail about the gardens, people, and plants that would be inappropriate for an individual plant profile.
Hortus News
News provides an opportunity for people interested in the gardens to keep in touch with the work being done to maintain and reinvigorate the gardens and receive advance notice of events such as Open Garden days.
