Watsonia borbonica (Pourr.) Goldbl.
Cormous perennial warrowly sword-shaped leaves and branched spikes of up to 20 slightly irregular, purple-pink, rarely white flowers in summer. To 2m. [RHSE, CECB].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Our figure was drawn last July from a plant at Messrs. Grimwood and Wykes, who imported it some time since from the Cape. Mr. Alderman Hibbert possesses a variety with deep purple flowers, but with the mouth always of deeper colour in the inside.’ [BM t.537/1801]. The plant figured as rosea-alba has pure white flowers. ‘This fine species is at once seen to be closely allied to the marginata of No.608 of this work. […] One of the tallest known to us, being sometimes four feet high.’ [BM t.1072/1807].
Watsonia rosea was introduced to Britain in 1803 by Lady De Clifford. [ABR pl.335/1803].
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [B.451/1843]. Received per ‘Sovereign’ February 1831 under the name Watsonia rosea [MP A2948] and listed in all catalogues. Well established in the gardens with large clumps of plants in shades of pink and also white.
Notes
Published Nov 19, 2009 - 01:49 PM | Last updated Jul 25, 2010 - 03:16 PM
Watsonia borbonica (Pourr.) Goldbl. | BM t.1072/1807 | BHL
| Family | Iridaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | South Africa, Cape district |
| Synonyms |
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| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Watsonia rosea |
| Confidence level | high |