Verbena x hybrida ‘Imperatrice Josephine’
A cultivar of Verbena x hybrida Hort. ex Vilm., the Florists’ Verbena. ‘This very pretty variety of dwarf habit, not exceeding 4ins in height and bearing a succession of bright lavender flowers striped with white, [is] well adapted for edging or small beds.’ Youll & Co. advertisement. [Gard. Chron. 1857]. ‘Imperatrice Josephine’ was included in Wood’s list of rich-coloured varieties. ‘Imperatrice Josephine [is an] interesting approach to a lively blue.’ [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 - 03:19 PM | Last updated Aug 29, 2011 - 05:08 PM
| Family | Verbenaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, probably Belgium or France |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Florists’ Verbena |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Verbena ‘Imperatrice Josephine’ |
| Confidence level | high |