Ornithogalum dubium Houtt.

Half-hardy bulbous perennial with up to 8 narrow leaves, to 10cm long, with flowering stems to 30cm bearing racemes of 20 or more orange, red, yellow or, rarely white flowers, often tinged green or brown at the base within, opening in succession for a considerable time in the winter and spring.  [RHSD, Hortus, CECB].

Added on January 09 2010

Mimulus moschatus Douglas

Fully-hardy, small, creeping, water-loving perennial with masses of clear, pale yellow flowers, lightly dotted with brown, in summer to autumn.  To 30cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].  

Added on April 23 2009

Gasteria obliqua (Aiton) Duval

A very variable succulent, as attested by the large number of synonyms. It has 2-ranked leaves, to 25cm long, green banded with paler dots, the inflorescence to 90cm, unbranched, the flowers small, tubular and scarlet.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on April 01 2010

Vitis vinifera ‘Lombardy’

‘Bunches, very large, shouldered, closely set, and handsome; sometimes weighing from six to seven pounds. Berries, large and round, inclining to oval. Skin, pale red or flame-coloured. Flesh, firm, sweet, and well-flavoured, but only second-rate. This requires a high temperature to ripen it. The vine is a very strong grower, and requires a great deal of room, but it is a good bearer. The only recommendation to this variety is the great size of the bunches and beauty of the fruit.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.394/1884].

Added on June 23 2010

Sinningia speciosa ‘Priestleyana’

A cultivar of Sinningia speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern, ‘Priestleyana’ has deep blue flowers.  [GRS, GC p.328/1849].

Added on September 07 2009

Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.

Frost-hardy, vigorous, spreading shrub or tree with large lance-shaped, strongly veined leaves, to 30cm long, and large panicles of fragrant white flowers from autumn to winter, followed in spring by edible orange-yellow fruit to 4cm across.  To 8m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on February 05 2010

Psidium guajava L.

A very variable, tender, low tree with oval, elliptic leaves, hairy beneath, and white flowers followed by green to yellow, globose, edible fruit, to 20cm long, with white, yellow or pink flesh and a musky scent and flavour. [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on April 27 2010

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

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

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

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

Letters on the Culture of the Vine. Part 1: Introduction

‘Letters’ is an important book in the history of wine production in Australia and this is, I believe, the first time that the full text has been made available outside the major libraries. The value of William Macarthur’s book compared with earlier Colonial publications is that it is written from the perspective of over twenty years of experience of growing grapes and making wine in New South Wales. He does include theory from the pens of European authorities but the bulk of the book is written from personal experience. He is in effect saying ‘this is what we have found to work here’.

‘Letters’ is reproduced in 10 parts, beginning with the Introduction, which provides information on the history of the book and gives a synopsis of early experiences of vine importation and wine production.

Published Aug 27, 2010 - 05:50 PM | Last updated Nov 24, 2011 - 02:57 PM