Achimenes ‘Floribunda Elegans’
A garden cultivar or hybrid with a profusion of purple and crimson flowers. [GRA p.18.] Its parentage is unknown to me.
Horticultural & Botanical History
The Gardeners’ Chronicle reported that Achimenes venusta and A. floribunda elegans are ‘two exceedingly beautiful hybrids, which, for neat, compact, dwarf habit, profusion of bloom, chaste outline, richness of colour, easy culture, and adaptation to small collections, will prove universal favourites; and amongst the smallest of free-flowering plants, are models of perfection in all the desirable features of pot plants.’ In another article this journal regarded A. floribunda elegans as ‘far in advance of all others yet introduced. In growth habit equal to A. rosea, but combining larger blossoms with treble the number.’ [Gard. Chron. 1848]. Introduced to Britain in 1848. [JD].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.6/1850]. Obtained from Kew Gardens, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849. In the confirmatory list sent by Macarthur to King it is marked with an ‘o’, meaning new to the colony. [ML A1980-3]. It was also requested of James Backhouse on 1st February, 1849 but not recorded as received.
Notes
Published Aug 25, 2009 - 05:16 PM | Last updated Aug 25, 2011 - 02:44 PM
| Family | Gesneriaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Achimenes, Hot water plant, Cupid’s bow |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Achimenes floribunda elegans |
| Confidence level | high |
