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.

Dianthus caryophyllus Johns’ ‘Prince Albert’

For generic information on the garden Carnation and Picotee see Dianthus caryophyllus L.  Johns’ ‘Prince Albert’ is a ‘heavy-edged, purple picotee: pod good, petals fine and well shaped; ground very pure; edging good and well defined. This flower being rather inclined to grow small, the number of flower pods ought to be reduced to a very few, say two or three.’  [FC p.78/1849].

Horticultural & Botanical History

There was at least one other picotee available in the 1840s called ‘Prince Albert’.  Crask’s ‘Prince Albert’: ‘Light-edged, purple picotee: pod very good; petals broad, smooth, and firm; ground pure; edging light and regular, with a beautiful feather, and not apt to strike.  [FC p.79/1949].  ‘W’, writing in The Gardeners Chronicle described Crask’s ‘Prince Albert’ as ‘splendid and first rate, and will dispute the palm with John’s ‘Prince Albert’ which, though rather undersized, is remarkable for its purity, neatness of marking, and beautiful shape.’  [Gard. Chron. 1846].

For further information on the Victorian Picotee see Dianthus caryophyllus Mathew’s ‘Ne Plus Ultra’.

History at Camden Park

In October 1849 a large consignment of plants was sent by Veitch and Sons, Exeter, to J. C. Bidwill at Camden Park.  The consignment included named Carnations and Picotees, the present plant included.  [MP A2943].

Notes

Published Apr 12, 2009 - 02:27 PM | Last updated Aug 26, 2011 - 02:43 PM

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Family Caryophyllaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, England
Synonyms
Common Name

Florists’ Picotee
Name in the Camden Park Record

Picotee Johns’ ‘Prince Albert’
Confidence level high