Populus nigra L. var. italica Du Roi
Fully hardy, fast-growing, narrowly columnar, deciduous tree with triangular, glossy leaves, to 10cm long, turning yellow in autumn. Trees of this cultivar are male. To 30m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Grown in England since at least 1758, known in Italy for longer. [Hilliers’].
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.776/1857]. It is interesting that it should first appear in the catalogues under the name Populus dilatata as Macarthur had included Populus nigra Italicus among desiderata to Loddiges’ Nursery, 6th January 1845 [MP A2933-2, p.28]. The 1857 catalogue date suggests it was not received as early as 1845. Both Populus nigra and P. dilatata were requested from J. Abbott of Hobart on 16th June 1846 [MP A2933-2, p.159]. Italian poplars are common trees in the Camden area, often used as landscaping trees. A number of old specimens survive in the gardens at Camden Park.
Notes
Published Mar 25, 2009 - 02:27 PM | Last updated Jul 31, 2010 - 03:16 PM
Lombardy poplar at Camden Park. Photograph Colin Mills.
| Family | Salicaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, probably Italy |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Lombardy poplar, Italian poplar |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Populus dilatata |
| Confidence level | high |