Camellia japonica ‘Modesta’
A cultivar of Camellia japonica L., ‘Modesta’ has very regular flowers of a delicate purplish-pink.
Horticultural & Botanical History
It was bred by William Herbert from ‘Waratah’ crossed with ‘Variegata’ before 1837. ‘From waratah by Pompone. -17. v. Modesta, or Hebe; flower nearly regular, of a delicate purplish pink.’ [Herbert, Amaryllidaceae p.368].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.243/1850]. ‘Modesta’ is marked with an ‘H’ in William Macarthur’s hand in an 1850 catalogue held at Camden Park. It was later distributed in Sydney by at least Rule and Baptiste. [CQ]. Possibly obtained from Loddiges’ Nursery. Macarthur wrote on 6th January 1845: ‘I am very desirous to have the best of Mr. Herbert’s varieties.’ [MP A2933-2, p.28].
Notes
Published Jun 30, 2009 - 03:11 PM | Last updated Aug 10, 2011 - 04:58 PM
| Family | Theaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, England |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Camellia japonica modesta |
| Confidence level | high |
