Hovea elliptica DC.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘One of the most beautiful green-house plants [but] one of the most difficult to induce to form a handsome specimen.  It is easy to grow the plant to a considerable size, but its straggly habit, and a tendency to [grow] up without producing lateral branches, render it [difficult] to make it anything approaching a compact, well-furnished specimen.’  [Gard. Chron. 1853]. 

‘Like all the known species it is a native of New Holland; from whence it was first brought to Europe by Captain Baudin [in 1817], on his return from the expedition to that country.’  [BM t.2005/1818]. 

‘Named in honour of Mr. Cels, of Paris, who first had it for sale, and from whom we originally obtained it.’  [LBC no.1488/1830]. 

‘It was unknown in this country until imported last year, from the nursery of Monsieur Cels at Paris, by Mr. Allan, nurseryman, in the King’s Road.  The parent plant is said to be six feet high, and much branched; those that we have seen are yet small, and have not divided into branches.  The bloom is abundant, of a fine deep violet blue, rendering it a very desirable shrub to the greenhouse and conservatory, where it flowers about March.’  [BR f.280/1818].  MB p.241/1836.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.558/1843].

Notes