Phlox ‘Van Houtii’
It was described in the Botanical Register as a garden hybrid, possibly a cross between P. carolina and P. sauveolens, ‘leaving on a white ground a crimson evidence of its paternity. The appearance of the plant is beautiful, far beyond anything yet seen in the genus Phlox; and we were almost going to say, beyond any thing among the hardy perennials in cultivation.’ It is a later flowerer, the plant figured having pinkish-purple flowers with white edges. the panicles were large and resembled a modern pernnial phlox. It grows to about 45cm. [BR f.5/1843].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Phlox ‘Van Houtii’ was raised by Louis Van Houtte, a nurseryman of Ghent in Belgium, and sent to London in 1842. [BR f.5/1843].
‘Phloxes may with propriety be registered with the most showy and valuable of hardy herbaceous plants, for the magnitude and density of their panicles of prettily-rounded and lively-coloured blossoms give a most attractive and gay appearance to the borders during the flowering season. Of late years many beautiful additions have been made to the varieties in cultivation by hybridising; and almost every shade of colour now exists, from pure white to a fine crimson purple.’ One such addition was Van Houtte’s Phlox. [MB p.173/1844].
‘This very beautiful variety of Phlox we received from M. Louis van Houtte of Ghent; although the entire family of Phloxes deserves a place in every flower garden, this variety has especial recommendations, and is one of the handsomest border perennials grown.’ [FC p.74/1843].
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.751/1857].
Notes
Published Feb 28, 2010 - 11:05 AM | Last updated Jul 26, 2011 - 05:22 PM
Phlox ‘Van Houtii’ | BR f.5/1843 | BHL
| Family | Polemoniaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, Belgium |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Phlox Van Houtii
|
| Confidence level | high |
