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.

Populus nigra L. var. italica Du Roi

Fully hardy, fast-growing, narrowly columnar, deciduous tree with triangular, glossy leaves, to 10cm long, turning yellow in autumn. Trees of this cultivar are male.  To 30m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Grown in England since at least 1758, known in Italy for longer.  [Hilliers’].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.776/1857].  It is interesting that it should first appear in the catalogues under the name Populus dilatata as Macarthur had included Populus nigra Italicus among desiderata to Loddiges’ Nursery, 6th January 1845 [MP A2933-2, p.28].  The 1857 catalogue date suggests it was not received as early as 1845.  Both Populus nigra and P. dilatata were requested from J. Abbott of Hobart on 16th June 1846 [MP A2933-2, p.159].  Italian poplars are common trees in the Camden area, often used as landscaping trees.  A number of old specimens survive in the gardens at Camden Park.

Notes

Published Mar 25, 2009 - 02:27 PM | Last updated Jul 31, 2010 - 03:16 PM

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The photograph shows a tall, narrow, columnar tree, the Lombardy poplar.

Lombardy poplar at Camden Park. Photograph Colin Mills.

Family Salicaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, probably Italy
Synonyms
  • Populus nigra L. pyramidalis Hort.
  • Populus fastigiata Foug.
  • Populus dilatata Ait.
Common Name

Lombardy poplar, Italian poplar
Name in the Camden Park Record

Populus dilatata 
Confidence level high