Bulbous and Tuberous Rooted Plants
A division of the Camden Park catalogues that is not clearly defined. Some of the more important families of the Hortus are included here, Amaryllidaceae, Iridaceae and Liliaceae. It also contains a wide assortment of other plants with a modified stem or root that acts as a storage organ. Such plants are usually deciduous and have a distinct dormancy period. Shrubs and trees are not included, but there is some overlap with herbaceous plants.
Dahlia ‘Duke of Wellington’
Drummond’s ‘Duke of Wellington’. ‘A good orange dahlia was much required, and this is one; it has a fine centre and outline, is of medium size, and the colour is bright. Nothing yet produced in this class comes near it.’ [FC p.10/1849]. ‘Duke of Wellington’ was a firm exhibition favourite from the late 1840s onwards. Described as an orange-scarlet self, it was considered to be one of the best dahlias sent out in the years 1848-50. It was among the prize takers at the great exhibition of dahlias held in Edinburgh in 1855, and still among the prize winners at the Grand National Dahlia Show in September 1858. [Gard. Chron. 1858]. Possibly illustrated in the British Florist although the flower shown does not conform to the descriptions given here, being a ball type flower of deep red, almost maroon. [BF pl.40/1843]. It is quite likely that more than one flower was given the name ‘Duke of Wellington’ although I have only found descriptions of Drummond’s plant. Few coloured illustrations of dahlias survive from this time.
Dahlia ‘Elizabeth’
Proctor’s ‘Elizabeth’. ‘A fancy flower, white, edged with lilac, full medium size, symmetrically arranged and good outline; rather flat in the face, centre well filled but hard to close, few of the many blooms we saw being perfect in the centre.’ Awarded a Second Class certificate in 1849. [FC p.4/1850]. ‘Proctor’s “Elizabeth” will make a very desirable addition to this class; it may be described as a blush with rosy-purple stripes, well defined.’ [Gard. Chron. 1849]. It was considered to be one of the 12 best ‘fancies’ sent out in the years 1848-50. [Gard. Chron. 1851]. It was till winning prizes at the Grand National Dahlia Show, Sept. 23 and 24, 1858 and was included among the ‘best Fancies – tipped’. [Gard. Chron. 1858].
Dahlia ‘Exquisite’
Holmes’ ‘Exquisite’. Cream ground, tipped with bright rose. [Gard. Chron. 1841]. It was described as lilac and white and included in a list of the best laced or shaded dahlias in the Floricultural Cabinet. [FCp.104/1848].
Dahlia ‘Lilac King’
‘Very pretty lilac; large, and of excellent form.’ First offered to the public in 1853. [FC p.37/1853]. ‘Dahlias expected to be extensively cultivated this year include ‘Lilac King’’. [Gard. Chron. 1853]. It was among the prize takers at the great exhibition of dahlias held in Edinburgh [Gard. Chron. 1855] and a prize winner at the Grand National Dahlia Show of September 1858. [Gard. Chron. 1858].
Dahlia ‘Marquis of Abercorn’
Although the handwriting is difficult to read this plant is probably ‘Marquis of Abercorn’, listed as a crimson variety in a list of new Dahlias in 1835. [FC p.68/1835].
Dahlia ‘Mary of Little Park’
Squibbs’ ‘Mary of Little Park’ is ‘very pleasing in colour [not specified], but, large, wide, and ugly in form’. [FC p.12/1838].
Dahlia ‘Metropolitan Purple’
‘Moderate, but rather too starry’, suggesting that it was a semi-cactus type. [FC p.27/1838]. I have found no detailed description.
Dahlia ‘Miss Frampton’
A deep red ground, with shaded white tip, good form and substance and ‘well deserving the First-Class Certificate which was awarded to it’. Bred by Mr. Rawlings, it was awarded its Certificate at the National Floricultural Society show in September. [Gard. Chron. 1854]. Included among the best ‘Fancies – tipped’ at the Grand National Dahlia Show, Sept. 23 and 24, 1858. [Gard. Chron. 1858].
Dahlia ‘Primrose Perfection’
John Keynes of Salisbury listed for sale in The Gardeners Chronicle a number of Dahlias, including: ‘Primrose Perfection’ (Keynes’). ‘Pure bright primrose without shading, one of the most useful Dahlias ever offered; always providing fine blooms, and fit for any stand. Certificate at the National [Floricultural Society show of 1853] for its general good qualities.’ [Gard. Chron. 1854]. ‘It will be a useful flower; the centre and form are good and it is large and showy’. [Gard. Chron. 1853]. It was also among the prize takers at the great exhibition of Dahlias held in Edinburgh. [Gard. Chron. 1855].
Dahlia ‘Prince of Orange’
Widnall’s ‘Prince of Orange’ won twenty prizes in 1834 competitions. I have found no description. [FC 1834]. It is likely that more than one dahlia received this name.
Dahlia ‘Queen Victoria’
Introduced in 1853, ‘deep yellow, edged with red, well up, and good outline.’ [FC p.37/1853]. ‘Dahlias expected to be extensively cultivated this year include “Queen Victoria”.’ [Gard. Chron. 1853].
Dahlia ‘Quilled Perfection’
Brown’s ‘Quilled Perfection’ was included in a list of 50 excellent dahlias in the Floricultural Cabinet. [FC p.68/1837]. In 1838 it was described as ‘occasionally very fine, but very uncertain and rather too much quilled’, suggesting it was a semi-cactus or cactus type.
Dahlia ‘Red Perfection’
M’Kenzie’s ‘Perfection’, with red flowers, was offered for sale by Hugh Low and Co. of Upper Clapton, London, in 1841. [Gard. Chron. 1841]. This may well be ‘Red Perfection’. I have found no detailed description.
