Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Coronilla valentina L. subsp. glauca

Frost-hardy, dense, rounded, compact shrub with pinnate leaves with, usually, 5-7 leaflets, and axillary umbels of 4-14 fragrant, bright yellow flowers in late winter and spring, and again in late summer.  To 80cm.  The subspecies glauca differs from the type in having only 2-3 pairs of leaflets, blue-green in colour, with a waxy bloom, and lemon-yellow flowers.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to England in 1722.  [PD].  ‘This charming shrub, which is almost perpetually in blossom, and admirably adapted for nosegays, is a native of the south of France, and a constant ornament to our green-houses.  Linnaeus has observed, that the flowers, which in the day time are remarkably fragrant, in the night are almost without scent.’  [BM t.13/1787].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.344/1857].

Notes

Published Dec 13, 2009 - 04:37 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2010 - 11:50 AM

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Figured are pinnate leaves and rounded heads of yellow, pea-like flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.13, 1787.

Coronilla valentina ssp. glauca L. | BM t.13/1787 | BHL

Family Fabaceae
Category
Region of origin

Southern Europe
Synonyms
  • Coronilla glauca L.
  • Ornithopus valentinus (L.) Hornem.
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Coronilla glauca
Confidence level high