Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. var. rosea

See Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. for a description of the species.  Rosea is a variety with pink flowers.  [JD].

Added on January 29 2010

Justicia splendens Hort.

I have been unable to identify a plant of this name.  It is probably a nursery name for one of the more commonly grown species such as Justicia carnea Lindl., which see.  The only reference to a plant of this name I have found is in the San Francisco Municipal Reports for 1994-95 [web sources].  The name is listed among plants grown in the Conservatory, together with Justicia carnea, without further clarification. 

Added on March 27 2009

Rhododendron viscosum ‘Violae-odora’

Treated here as a cultivar of Rhododendron viscosum Torr. but may be naturally occurring. See Rhododendron viscosum Torr. for more detail.  A deciduous azalea with hairy shoots, elliptic leaves, to 3cm long, often glaucous beneath, and trusses of up to 12 tubular or funnel-shaped fragrant white flowers suffused with pink, to 3cm long, appearing after the leaves in summer.  To 2.5m.  [RHSE, Hilliers'].  Violae-odora is presumably a form considered to have the scent of violets.

Added on June 08 2009

Fagelia bituminosa DC.

Frost-tender, evergreen twining shrub with 3-foliate leaves and axillary racemes of yellow flowers with a dark violet-purple keel, in spring and summer.  To 1.2m.  [RHSD].

Added on December 22 2009

Lophospermum ‘Hendersonii’

Unidentified species or variety but possibly a form of Maurandya barclaiana Lindl. which see.  There are many colour forms of this plant.  

Added on September 24 2009

Malus domestica ‘Dutch Mignonne’

‘Fruit above the middle size, very regularly formed, rather narrower at the crown than at the base. Eye generally close, deeply sunk. Stalk an inch long, slender, deeply inserted. Skin dull yellow, sprinkled with numerous, small, russetty, green, and white spots; on the sunny side of a rich, deep, dull red, streaked and mottled. Flesh very firm, crisp. Juice plentiful, with a delicious aromatic, sub-acid flavour. A dessert apple from November till May or June.’ [George Lindley – Orchard guide p.44/1831].

Added on April 17 2010

Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Hardy evergreen shrub with downy shoots and opposite, narrow, lance-shaped leaves, dark above and pale beneath.  The pale violet flowers are borne in the leaf axils of the previous years growth.  To 2m.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on February 15 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

A Few Words on Gesneraceous Plants

The family Gesnereaceae was an important contributor to the diversity of the colonial garden of Camden Park, with 97 plants described in the Hortus, mainly from the genera Achimenes and Sinningia. This short article provides a good overview of the history of Gesneriads as garden plants, and some very useful advice on their culture. Unfortunately I have lost the source reference, but the content suggests that it was written for an Australian colonial readership. The article is simply signed L.W.

Published Jun 26, 2010 - 03:01 PM | Last updated Jun 26, 2010 - 03:19 PM

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

Camden Park Roses

Roses were very important to the Camden Park gardens, 297 are listed in the Hortus, substantially more than the next largest genus, Camellia with 140 plants.  This brief review summarises the major types of rose grown and discusses the change in profile of roses over the decades from 1843 to 1861. 

Published Feb 13, 2010 - 03:27 PM | Last updated Jun 27, 2010 - 11:02 AM

The Family Amaryllidaceae at Camden Park

Amaryllidaceae was a very significant family of plants in the history of the Camden Park gardens.  The following Essay provides a little background to these important plants.

Published Jan 01, 2010 - 05:11 PM | Last updated Jul 30, 2010 - 02:54 PM