Petunia x hybrida Hort ex Vilm. var. grandiflora

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The charming group here figured represents seedling varieties of a hybrid between Petunia violacea and P. nyctaginiflora, and it must be confessed that here, as in many other vegetable productions, the art and skill of the Horticulturist has improved nature.  Cultivation, alone, has, indeed, very much increased the size of the flowers and foliage of this plant: so that it can scarcely be recognized as belonging to the same species as the native specimens sent by Mr. Tweedie; while in plants that are raised from seeds which are the offspring of P. nyctaginiflora and P. violacea (as represented in the annexed plate), the tube becomes longer, and narrower than in the latter, and the whole plant, save in colour, almost precisely similar to the former.  There are various shades of purple on the corollas, but in every one the tint, though often exceedingly brilliant on the first expansion, soon fades to a paler and less bright hue.  Some are pale pink, streaked within with deep purple lines, very much after the manner of Salpiglossis picta: others are nearly of a pure white; but all have the tube dark-coloured.  These varieties are equally hardy with the parents.

With regard to the Genus of this plant, I never can consent to its being referred to Nierembergia; but I do entirely agree with Professor Lindley in uniting it with Petunia, and gladly adopt the amended character which that able Botanist has given of this Genus, and the views he has taken of its structure and affinities.

These varieties of Petunia and the Phlox Drummondii were decidedly among the greatest ornaments of the green-house in the Glasgow Botanic Garden during the month of May (1836), a season too early for them to come to perfection in the open border.’  [BM t.3556/1837].

History at Camden Park

Only mentioned in documents in 1846.

Notes