Viburnum rigidum Vent.

Half hardy evergreen shrub of open habit, with oval leaves, to 15cm long, and flattened corymbs of white flowers in early spring, followed by blue to black fruits.  To 3m.  [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on July 10 2009

Juniperus horizontalis Moench.

Fully-hardy, prostrate, creeping, evergreen shrub with sharp-pointed juvenile leaves in pairs or threes, scale-like adult leaves, lying flat along the shoots in 4 rows, and ovoid, dark blue fruit.  To 30cm by indefinite.  There are many garden forms.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on August 03 2009

Acacia brownei (Poir.) Steud

Erect or spreading shrub with thorn-like phyllodes and axillary, globular bright yellow flower heads.  To 1m.  [FNSW].

Added on December 26 2009

Gongora galeata Rchb.f. var. loddidgesii Autran & Durand

Evergreen epiphytic orchid with clustered, ovate pseudobulbs, to 5cm high, leaves to 30cm long and drooping racemes of tawny-yellow flowers with brownish-red lips.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Added on January 27 2010

Crinum scabro-Macleayi no.2

A Crinum zeylanicum L. x Crinum Macleayi hybrid.  The latter is unidentified but is probably a form of one of the native Australian species, Crinum flaccidum Herb. or Crinum pedunculatum R.Br.

In 1845 and 1846 William Macarthur described ten Crinum scabro-macleayii hybrids in his gardening notebooks.  [MP A2948 Notebook no.4, p.4].

No.2.  Resembling no.1 but ground colour of petals of delicate pink (1846, same as no.1) with a broad pencilled stripe of much deeper [word unclear but probably] colour down the centre of each, inside (1846, same as no.1).

Added on May 05 2009

Aesculus hippocastanum L.

Fully hardy, vigorous, spreading, rounded tree with 5-7-palmate, mid-green leaves, with leaflets 30cm or more long, and conical panicles of white flowers, to 30cm tall, in spring and summer, followed by spiny fruits.  To 25m.  [RHSE, Hilliers’].

Added on February 21 2009

Sinningia speciosa ‘Rubra’

A cultivar of Sinningia speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern. The flowers of rubra are deep crimson red when first opened, growing paler with age, with a bluish tinge in the throat, and deeper shaded stripes on the tube.  [FC p.98/1841].

Added on September 07 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

Camden Park Nursery Group

We are a small voluntary group helping to maintain and preserve the historic Camden Park gardens. There are regular meeting days, currently Tuesday and Saturday but this can be varied, but most members contribute through Working Bees held typically every third Sunday.

Published Jun 27, 2010 - 04:16 PM | Last updated Jun 27, 2010 - 04:32 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

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

Rambles in New Zealand - Part 1

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 - 08:45 AM | Last updated Feb 29, 2012 - 03:08 PM