Matthiola incana ‘Prussian Stock’

A cultivar of Matthiola incana (L.) R.Br. See Matthiola incana 'Dwarf Stock' for a brief description of the type.  ‘The German growers have a formidable list of kinds [of Ten-week Stock], many of which are more curious than showy.  There are, however, sufficient good colours among them, such as crimson, rose, purple, violet, and white, to yield distinct hues.’  [Robinson - The English Flower Garden and Home Grounds 10th Edition, p.680/1907].

Added on October 02 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

Polygala myrtifolia L.

Frost tender, erect, bushy, evergreen shrub with oblong, leathery leaves and short, leafy, terminal racemes of purple-veined, greenish white flowers, to 2cm long, with crested keel petals, from spring to autumn.  To 2.5m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Added on March 22 2009

Rosa ‘Madame Desgaches’

Hybrid Perpetual.  The flowers are rose-coloured, of medium size, full and globular, its habit branching on a dwarf shrub.  Paul considered it to be a good rose: ‘This rose is of exquisite form; the petals too, are closely and beautifully disposed.’  [Paul 1848].

Added on February 12 2010

Gladiolus (scarlet from Mr. Herbert) x (x gandavensis)

A single hybrid derived from an unnamed plant obtained from William Herbert, presumably by John Bidwill, is described but not named.  ‘Gladiolus scarlet Mr. Herbert x G. Gandavensis.  Flowers very large of bright pink and scarlet, tolerably well shaped, petals too pointed – [word indistinct] flower lobes light yellow ochre and a little purple, beautiful bright colour.  Shape not so good.’  [MP A2948-4].

Added on October 22 2009

Lycopodium caesium Hort.

A creeping perennial fern ally, with bluish foliage turning brown if exposed to too much light. To 15cm.   A more upright variety, arboreum, is also recorded, which see.  [JD].

Added on February 11 2009

Citrus sinensis ‘Chinese New Year Orange’

Probably a Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cultivar. For generic information on the Sweet Orange see Citrus sinensis ‘Chinese Oval’. I have no specific description of the ‘Chinese New Year Orange’.

Added on May 04 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 - 06:06 AM | Last updated Aug 12, 2012 - 06:36 AM

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 - 06:58 AM | Last updated Oct 04, 2010 - 05:47 AM

Working Bee dates

Working Bee dates for 2012.

Published Jun 29, 2010 - 04:59 AM | Last updated Jan 10, 2012 - 06:19 AM

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 - 03:58 AM | Last updated Jan 09, 2012 - 06:31 AM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 6: The Vintage

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters IX, X and XI deal with the vintage, including the theory and practice of fermentation and preparation for winemaking. The process of winemaking is dealt with in more detail in subsequent letters. The illustration used here is a wine label from the 1852 Muscat vintage. Follow this link to further examples of wine labels from this period.

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 15, 2010 - 05:53 AM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 01:15 AM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 5: Management and Replenishment of the Vineyard

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters VII and VIII deal with the management of the vineyard after planting, the use of manures and the replenishment of an exhausted vineyard. The illustration used here is Macarthur’s Plate 2, a section of a vineyard. This is referred to in detail in Part 4, however it does illustrate the method of vine culture recommended and described here, the dwarf-standard method which at this time was practiced mostly in the north of France.

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 09, 2010 - 07:49 AM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 01:15 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 - 03:43 AM | Last updated Jul 30, 2010 - 04:46 AM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 4: Forming the Vineyard and Planting Vines

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters V and VI deal with the formation of the vineyard and planting the vines. The illustration used here is Macarthur’s Plate 1, a ground plan for a vineyard. This is probably based on his own third vineyard, commenced c.1830.

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 05, 2010 - 07:03 AM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 01:15 AM