Downingia pulchella Torr.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1831.  [JD].  ‘I figure this little plant more for the sake of recording its existence, than from any expectation that it will ever become an object of horticultural interest; for since C. elegans, a far hardier and more cultivable plant, has disappeared, there can be little hope that this, beautiful as it is, will be preserved.  It only exists at present in the garden of the Horticultural Society, where it was sent from California by Mr. Douglas.  It is there treated as a tender annual, and every year a small number of tiny plants, not at all bigger than those now represented, have been raised from the very few seeds ripened the previous year.  It has usually grown in a flower-pot.’  [BR f.1909/1836].

‘A very elegant little annual, a native of marshy places, river banks, and springs in N.W. America, from British Columbia to California; introduced by Douglas almost half a century ago, but long lost to cultivation.  It has again been introduced by our excellent contributor, Mr. Thompson, of Ipswich, who flowered it in July, 1875, and to whom I am indebted for the specimen here figured.’  [BM t.6257/1876].

History at Camden Park

Seed order to Hurst and McMullen, Seedsmen and Florists of London, on 8th April 1846.  [MP A2933-1, p.132].

Notes