Trees and Shrubs
A division of the Camden Park catalogues that is not clearly defined. In broad terms it includes all plants with woody stems except conifers and fruit trees and shrubs.
Vitis vinifera ‘Tinta’
‘No. 12 – Tinta. Imported by the Australian Agricultural Company, in 1825. Black, with deep red juice, sugary but very austere, not fit to be used alone, but may be very valuable to combine with other grapes for red wine, in the proportion of not exceeding one-fourth (with Nos. 1 [Pineau Gris, 3 [Dolcetto], 9 [Small Black Grape], and 13 [Black Grape], for instance). I have tasted very good wine, in the manufacture of which this grape was used to about the above extent. The bunches are tolerably large, berries small and crowded, produces moderately well. It is said to be cultivated extensively at Madeira, for the manufacture of Tinta Madeira, and to be one of the seven sorts which enter into the composition of the best white wines of the island. A very hardy plant, requiring same room as Nos. 1 and 2 [Pineau Gris and White Grape 57/1]. [Maro p.23/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Ulliade’
‘Bunches, medium sized, and with long stalks. Berries, large, oval, uniform in size, and dangling from long stalks. Skin, thin, of a dark purplish black colour, and covered with bloom. Flesh, firm and crackling, juicy, sweet, and of a rich vinous flavour. The vine is a very abundant bearer, and ripens its fruit in a cool vinery, but to have it in perfection it requires the same treatment as the Frontignans. It is a delicious grape.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.400/1884].
Vitis vinifera ‘Verdelho’
‘Berries oval, small, having numerous very small ones, without seeds, interspersed; of a greenish yellow, but of a slight amber-coloured russet when fully exposed to the sun. Skin thin, almost transparent. Juice rather acid in ripening, but when fully matured of a rich saccharine flavour.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.211/1831].
Vitis vinifera ‘Verdot’
‘One of the “claret” grapes. Season, mid-season (3rd period). Merit, first class, although not so much perfumed as the Cabernet. Vine growth vigorous, spreading. Leaves medium-sized, longer than broad, when young covered with a characteristic silvery-white down; when full grown three or five-lobed, teeth uneven, sinus rather open and not very deep; upper surface smooth, uneven, of a paler green than Cabernet, underside downy. Fruit bunches small, shouldered. Berries round, small, dark purple, with several small green berries amongst the others; thick skin, large seeds.’ [Despeissis p.263/1903].
Vitis vinifera ‘White Grape No 2’
‘No. 2 – White Grape (No. 57/1, or No. 57 of Mr. Busby’s private collection, misnamed in the catalogue Malbec, which is not there). Tolerably well provided with saccharine matter, but very sharp to the taste, very early ripe, bears rather better than the preceding [Pineau Gris], and at an earlier age. Though of rather more vigorous growth, may be planted at the same distance as No. 1. Planted upon stony soils, it may contribute, mixed with others, to produce a fine wine, but should never, I think, be used alone’. [Maro p.22/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘White Grape No 39’
This is grape no. 39 of Busby’s personal collection. I have no description at present.
Vitis vinifera ‘White Grape No 56’
This is grape no. 56 of Busby’s personal collection. I have no description at present.
Vitis vinifera ‘Xeres’
This is possibly the Spanish grape usually known as ‘Graciano’, a red wine grape used in both Spain and the Languedoc-Roussilon region of France, primarily for blending with other varieties. It is unclear why this wine grape should be included among Vines for Table Only in the Camden Park catalogues. More research needed.
Vitis vinifera L.
Climbing or scrambling deciduous shrub, leaves palmately-lobed, orbicular, the flowers insignificant, pale green, in dense panicles, followed by edible green to nearly black, globular or ovoid fruits. Individual stems to 35m. [RHSD, Hortus].
Vitis vulpina L. var. rubra
Vigorous, dioecious, deciduous, woody-based climber with ovate, coarsely-toothed, usually 3-lobed leaves, to 20cm across, and very fragrant flowers followed by purple-black fruits in female plants. ‘Rubra’ is a variety with red, bronze-tinged leaves in autumn. [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Weigela florida (Bunge) A.DC.
Fully hardy spreading shrub with arching shoots, tapered oval leaves, and corymbs of funnel-shaped, dark pink flowers, to 3cm long, paler inside, in spring and summer. To 2.5m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Wikstroemia indica (L.) C.A.Mey.
Small tree or shrub, sometimes low and spreading, sometimes arborescent, with glossy ovate leaves, to 6cm long, and terminal fower heads of few greenish yellow to white flowers, followed by red, toxic fruits. To 1.5m. [FNSW, Flora Australiensis].
Wisteria frutescens (L.) Poir.
Fully-hardy tall climber with leaves composed of up to 17 leaflets, and racemes, to 15cm long, of fragrant, pale lilac-purple flowers with a yellow spot, in summer. [RHSD, Hilliers’, Hortus].
Wisteria sinensis (Sims) Sweet
Fully-hardy, vigorous, twining climber with pinnate leaves, composed of up to 13 leaflets, and dense, pendant racemes, to 30cm, of pea-like, fragrant, lilac-blue to white flowers, in spring and summer. To 9m or more. [RHSE, Hilliers’, Hortus].
x Crataemespilus grandiflora Camus
Apparently naturally occurring Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC. x Mespilus germanica L. hybrid. Frost-hardy shrub or small, broad-headed tree with ovate, occasionally lobed, hairy leaves, to 7cm, turning yellow-brown before dropping, and prolific white flowers borne in groups of 2 or 3, followed by brownish haws, resembling small medlars. An apparently sterile hybrid found growing wild in France about 1800. [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’].
