Camellia japonica ‘Alba Plena’

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This is without doubt, one of the most beautiful and splendid plants which has ever been cultivated any where: it is a native of Japan and China, those countries so renowned for magnificence in flowers; it has probably been known for ages, but in England is but of comparatively novel introduction: twenty five years ago it had never been seen here, since which time its beauty has caused it to be most industriously propagated.’  [LBC no. 269/1818].  ‘The double white or Bourbon Camellia is, in our opinion, by far the most beautiful.  Nothing can exceed in elegance a large tree of this kind, covered with beautiful snow-white double blossoms, embosomed amidst the bright green shining foliage; such as we remember to have seen with delight two years ago at the Northampton Nursery, Balls-Pond.’  [BM t.1654/1814]. 

 

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.192/1843].  Received per ‘Sovereign’ February 1831.  [MP A2948-2].  Plants were presented to the Sydney Botanic Garden on October 24th 1846.  [RBGS AB].  Alba plena is listed in both the 1830 and 1836 editions of Loddiges’ Nursery catalogue, copies of which are held at Camden Park [CPA].  In the 1830 edition it is marked with a ‘+’, the meaning of which is unclear.  In 1836 it is marked with ‘o’ containing a ‘c’.  The ‘o’ usually denotes new to the colony and the ‘c’ grown at Camden.

Notes