Gardenia augusta (L.) Merrill var. fortuniana

Horticultural & Botanical History

Fortuniana was introduced to Britain in 1844 from North China by Robert Fortune.  ‘This is one of the very finest shrubs in cultivation, and ranks on a level with the double white Camellia.’  [BR f.43/1846].  ‘Among the different species now in cultivation of this highly fragrant and favourite genus, none perhaps possesses more especial claims on our notice than this fine plant.  Its beautiful double flowers, from three and a half to four inches across, of the purest white, emblossomed in its fine glossy foliage, are extremely attractive, each blossom forming, as it were, a bouquet in itself’.  [Gard. Chron. 1853].  ‘Mr. Fortune’s variety differs from the double form in the extraordinary size of the flowers, which are nearly 4 inches in diameter, and in having large and broader leaves.’  [FC p.289/1846].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.506/1850].  Gardenia fortuni is one of a number of plants received from Captain Simpson in late 1849 or early 1850, apparently on the same ship as those accompanying Captain P. P. King.  The source is unclear.  [ML A1980-3].  It had been requested of John Lindley on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1, p.182a].

Notes