Fuchsia Meillez’ ‘Napoleon’

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Napoleon’ was a highly recommended light-coloured fuchsia by The Gardeners Chronicle in 1848 and 1849, which gave the breeder as Meillez, of France.  It was also recommended for bedding, and was a regular on the show bench for a number of years.  This is probably the plant described in The Cottage Gardener, and the plant grown by Macarthur.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.489/1850].  Obtained from Kew Gardens, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849.  Regarded by Macarthur as new to the colony.  [ML A1980-3].  The following notice appeared in The Courier, Hobart, Tasmania, on Saturday 6th April 1850.  ‘The Autumn Exhibition of the Gardeners and Amateurs' Floral and Horticultural Society was held on Wednesday last, at the Music Hall, Collins-street.  The best collections of fuchsias were exhibited by Mr. Rheuben and Mr. A. Douglass.  Those of Mr. Rheuben's were all seedlings, and Mr. Douglass' comprised specimens of the Corallina, Napoleon, Acanthe, Fairbairn's Delicata, Miss Prettyman, Cassandra, Smith's Prince Albert, and Fulgent.’  This suggests that ‘Napoleon’ was introduced into Tasmania at least as early as Camden.  The source of Mr. Douglass’ plant is not known to me.

Notes

Fuchsia ‘Empereur Napoléon’ was figured in Illustration Horticole [IH p.93/1856].  It had crimson tube and sepals, strongly reflexed, and a large, deep purple corolla.  The breeder is given as Henderson.  This is unlikely to be Macarthur’s plant.