Mespilus germanica L.

Fully-hardy, spreading tree or large shrub with alternate, lance-shaped leaves, to 15cm long, and white, sometimes pink-tinged flowers, to 5cm across, in spring and summer, followed by edible, fleshy brown fruit, to 5cm or more across.  To 6m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on February 05 2010

Euonymus japonicus Thunb.

Frost hardy, dense, bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree with toothed, obovate leaves, to 6cm long, and small white flowers followed by spherical, pink-tinged white fruits, which are not always produced.  To 4m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on March 15 2009

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit

Frost-tender, spineless shrub with leaves composed of up 6 or more pairs of pinnae, each composed 15 or more pairs of leaflets, and yellow-tinged white flowers in summer.  To 3m.  [RHSD].

Added on November 20 2009

Camellia japonica ‘Princeps’

A cultivar of Camellia japonica L. ‘Vivid red, blotched white, beautiful flower.’  [Trillon, Le Mans Nursery Catalogue, 1845.  Quoted in the ICR].

Added on July 01 2009

Zephyranthes candida (Lindl.) Herb.

A hardy evergreen bulbous perennial with narrow, sword-shaped foliage and white, crocus-like flowers in autumn.  [RHSD, Hortus].  Sometimes mistaken for Zephyranthes atamasco [Hortus].

Added on May 16 2009

Vitis vinifera ‘Fine White Grape No. 22’

Unidentified but described by William Macarthur: ‘No. 22 – White Grape (56/2, or No.56 of the 2nd or Luxembourg, collection [of Busby], misnamed Chasselas Violet in the catalogue). A remarkably sweet, juicy, thin skinned, delicately flavoured grape, to my taste, the best table grape in the colony, not in the least resembling the family of Chasselas in its habit, moderately productive, but uncertain, the flowers being apt to become abortive. Fruit very liable to burst and rot, if heavy rain falls near the period of maturity, makes delicately flavoured summer wine.’ [Maro p.25/1844].

Added on June 23 2010

Anagallis arvensis L.f. var. azurea Hyl.

Annual prostrate herb, quite variable, the flowers of azurea being presumably blue.  Probably similar to the variety caerulea.  [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

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 3: Grape Varieties and Diseases

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters III and IV deal with grape varieties found suitable for New South Wales, and diseases of the vine.

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 01, 2010 - 05:24 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:16 AM

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 8: Fermentation of the Wine

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letters XIV and XV describe primary and secondary fermentation of the wine. The illustration used here is a photograph of the cellars at Camden Park House.

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 30, 2010 - 05:11 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:14 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 - 03:53 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:15 AM