Plants in the Hortus

Many of the plants described here were listed in the catalogues of plants published by Sir William Macarthur in 1843, 1845, 1850 and 1857 and in an unpublished catalogue dated 1861. A large number of additional plants were identified from correspondence, gardening notebooks and other documents surviving in the archives. The Hortus attempts to describe all the plants grown in the gardens at Camden Park and those grown in horticultural enterprises such as orchards and vineyards and includes plants grown outside the gardens in the park-like environs of the Camden Park estate. The Hortus plants served a wide range of purposes in the 19th century household; as ornament, living fences, fibre, dyestuffs, medicines, food and drink from the garden, orchard and vineyard and many others.

Malus domestica ‘Apple - no name [2]’

Probably a variety raised at Camden Park. No description is given in William Macarthur’s notebooks or garden diaries.

Malus domestica ‘Beauty of Kent’

‘Fruit pretty large, three inches and a quarter deep, and three inches and a half in diameter, somewhat irregularly formed, with slightly prominent unequal angles, terminating in the crown, which is rather contracted. Eye small, closed by a short calyx, a little depressed, in a narrow angular basin. Stalk short, slender, rather deeply inserted in a funnel-shaped cavity. Skin a very clear yellowish green, mottled with dull red; but on the sunny side of a bright red, mottled and streaked with yellow, intermixed with russet round the base. Flesh firm, yellowish white, crisp, and tender. Juice abundant, and pleasantly acid. An autumnal dessert apple, from Michaelmas to Christmas.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.27/1831].

Malus domestica ‘Blenheim Orange’

‘Fruit large, roundish, of a yellowish colour, tinged with red next the sun; pulp sweet and high flavoured: ripe in November, and keeps till March: a very superior dessert apple.’ [FCM p.42/1843].

Malus domestica ‘Borsdorff’

‘Fruit below the middle size, of a roundish figure, rather narrower at the crown than the base. Eye small, a little sunk. Stalk half an inch long, slender. Skin pale yellow, marked with various ramifications of a grey russetted network, interspersed with a few dark-coloured specks; when fully exposed to the sun it is of a beautiful brilliant red, extending nearly round its base. Flesh yellowish white, firm, crisp. Juice sugary, with a singularly musky perfume. A dessert apple from November till February.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.39/1831].

Malus domestica ‘Braddick’s Nonpareil’

Fruit; medium, roundish and flattened. Skin; smooth, greenish yellow, brownish-red next the sun, russet around the eye, and patches of brown russet elsewhere. Flesh; yellowish, rich, sugary and aromatic. [HP pl.XXI/1878].

Malus domestica ‘Cockle Pippin’

‘Fruit middle-sized, oblong, tapering a little from the base to the crown, very slightly angular on the sides, about two inches and a half long, and two inches and a quarter in diameter. Eye narrow, with a closed slender calyx, rather shallow, surrounded by narrow plaits. Stalk half an inch long, slender, one half of which is sunk in a narrow funnel-shaped cavity. Skin pale green, becoming bright yellow, with a few grey specks, and partly covered, especially near the base, with a pretty thick light brown russet. Flesh yellowish, firm, and tender. Juice saccharine, mixed with acid, and a slight pleasant perfume. A dessert apple, and also excellent for culinary purposes from November till May.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.66/1831].

Malus domestica ‘Cornish Gilliflower’

Fruit; large, oval, angular and ribbed. Skin; dull green on the shaded side, brownish-red streaked brighter red next the sun, with some thin russet markings. Flesh; yellowish, firm, rich, aromatic. [HP pl.XLI ].

Malus domestica ‘Court of Wick Pippin’

Fruit; below medium size, roundish oval, regular and handsome. Skin; fine clear yellow, faintly streaked with bright orange, covered with russety freckles. Flesh; yellow, tender, crisp, very juicy, brisk, rich and highly flavoured. [HP pl.III/1878].

Malus domestica ‘Court-Pendû Plat’

‘An estimable dessert apple, of medium size; in shape round, depressed; the colour yellow, a good deal covered with full red; it is of a high sacharrine flavour and of close consistence; the fruit keeps well till February or March. The tree grows upright, and bears well.’ [FCM p.43/1845].

Malus domestica ‘Desert Apple’

Probably a variety raised at Camden Park. No mention is made of this apple in William Macarthur’s records.

Malus domestica ‘Devonshire Quarrenden’

‘A much esteemed Devonshire apple; of medium size; skin of a uniform deep rich crimson, with numerous green dots intermixed; flesh of a brisk, pleasant, and peculiar flavour. A very desirable dessert apple: from August to November; tree very productive.’ [FCM p.40/1845].

Malus domestica ‘Devonshire Redstreak’

Fruit; medium size, roundish. Skin; deep, clear yellow, streaked with red on the shaded side, deeper red next the sun. Flesh; yellow, firm, crisp, and rather dry. [HP pl.XI/1878].

Malus domestica ‘Dr. Harvey’

Fruit; large, ovate, angular. Skin; greenish yellow with green and white specks and russet about the apex. Flesh; white, firm, crisp, juicy, pleasantly acid and perfumed. [HP pl.XXIII/1878].

Malus domestica ‘Dumelow’s Seedling’

Fruit; large, roundish, flattened. Skin; pale yellow, strewn with russet, pale red next the sun. Flesh; yellowish white, firm, crisp, brisk and very juicy, slightly aromatic flavour. [HP].

Malus domestica ‘Dutch Mignonne’

‘Fruit above the middle size, very regularly formed, rather narrower at the crown than at the base. Eye generally close, deeply sunk. Stalk an inch long, slender, deeply inserted. Skin dull yellow, sprinkled with numerous, small, russetty, green, and white spots; on the sunny side of a rich, deep, dull red, streaked and mottled. Flesh very firm, crisp. Juice plentiful, with a delicious aromatic, sub-acid flavour. A dessert apple from November till May or June.’ [George Lindley – Orchard guide p.44/1831].

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