Pyrus communis ‘Black Worcester’

‘Fruit very large, of a roundish turbinate figure usually about four inches long, and three inches and a half in diameter. Eye small, placed in a wide and deep hollow. Stalk half an inch long, stout, inserted in a slight cavity. Skin rough, of an obscure red or brown colour on the sunny side, but more pale on the shaded part. Flesh very hard, course, of an austere taste, but very good when baked or stewed. In use from November till February.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.413/1831].

Added on May 17 2010

Iris species unidentified [2]

An unidentified species, no description.

Added on November 08 2009

Hymenocallis glauca (Herb.) Bak.

The identity of this plant remains in doubt. Baker considers Hymenocallis glauca (Zucc.) M.Roem. to be synonymous with Choretis glauca Herb., although he gives the naming authors as Knowles & Westcott [Baker Am. p.123/1888]. The Plant List, on the other hand regards them as true and separate species. They are regarded as synonymous here.

Frost-tender bulbous perennial with elliptic basal leaves, to 45cm long and 10cm broad, and flower stems, to 35cm, bearing umbels of up to 3 fragrant white flowers, to 15cm across, in spring.  [RHSD, Baker Am.].  

Added on May 17 2009

Vitis vinifera ‘Klieb-roed’

I have been unable to identify this grape and have no description as yet. It may be a red grape as Asmanhausen is famous for a red wine of that name.

Added on June 25 2010

Camellia japonica L. var. ‘Heloise’

A cultivar of Camellia japonica L. Camden Park bred, seedling 56/52.  ‘Deep rose colour, nearly regular to centre, good flower, large size and very double.’  William Macarthur.  [MP A2948-6]. 

Added on June 23 2009

Rosa ‘Smith's Yellow’

Tea rose, often classified as a Noisette.  A beautiful double yellow rose it was described as ‘a hybrid production, from the Noisette rose (‘Blush Noisette’), fertilized with the pollen of the yellow China Rose (‘Parke's Yellow China’).  It resembles the former in many respects, but is of much more vigorous growth, and the flowers much more copious, of a deeper yellow, and disposed, like the Noisette Rose, in corymbs.’  [Paul (1848, 1863, 1888, 1903)].

Added on February 11 2010

Ixia maculata L. var. fuscocitrina

For a description of the type see Ixia maculata L.  Grey describes the variety fuscocitrina as being in cultivation in several gardens in Cape Town, its exact provenance being unknown. It is similar to I. maculata but the flowers are citrus-yellow with a dark basal blotch. 

Added on November 13 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 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 - 10:34 AM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:13 AM

Camellias at Camden Park

Most of the camellias grown at Camden Park are cultivars of Camellia japonica L., the ‘Common camellia’, a native of China, Korea and Japan.  The first plant introduced to Britain in 1739, and figured in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine [BM t.42/1788], is close to the wild type.  It bears single red flowers in early spring but is rarely planted now and was not grown at Camden Park.  William Macarthur was an important breeder of camellias and many of the cultivars described in the Hortus were bred by him.  Unfortunately few of these have survived.  

Published Mar 13, 2010 - 02:43 PM | Last updated Jul 30, 2010 - 02:46 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