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
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’.
| 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 |