Verbena x hybrida ‘Excelsa’

A cultivar of Verbena x hybrida Hort. ex Vilm., the Florists’ Verbena.  ‘Deep reddish rose, a fine kind, with a profusion of large trusses. Height 12 to 18 inches.’  W. P. Ayres.  [Gard. Chron. Oct. 11th, 1845].  ‘Excelsa’ was included in Wood’s list of rich-coloured varieties.  [Gard. Chron. 1848].

Horticultural & Botanical History

For information on the botanical and horticultural history of the Florists’ Verbena see Verbena x hybrida Hort. ex Vilm.

History at Camden Park

In February 1849 William Macarthur wrote to James Backhouse: ‘I am desirous to obtain a good collection of the best Verbenas of different shades of colour and I have extracted from a descriptive list published in the Gardener’s Chronicle of 8 April ’48 (which appears to have been written by Mr Wood of Fishergate Nursery, York) – a number of names under the belief that they will supply the variety we require.’  [MP A2933-1, p.183].  There is no record that these plants were received but it seems likely that they were.  

Notes

Published Apr 24, 2009 - 03:31 PM | Last updated Nov 28, 2011 - 02:59 PM


Figured are 3 verbenas, with deep red, blue or rose-pink flowers, each with a white eye.

Verbena x hybrida cultivars ‘Lady Lacon’, ‘Bluebeard’ and ‘Wonderful’ | Florist and Fruitist p.97/1855 | BHL. ‘Lady Lacon’, the deep pink verbena shown here, probably looked similar to ‘Excelsa’.

More details about Verbena x hybrida ‘Excelsa’
Family Verbenaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, probably England

Synonyms
Common Name

Florists’ Verbena

Name in the Camden Park Record

Verbena ‘Excelsa’

Confidence level high