Rhododendron ‘Humilis’

Horticultural & Botanical History

Loddiges’ Nurery catalogue of 1836, a copy of which is held at Camden Park [CPA], lists two varieties of hardy azaleas called humilis, Azalea scabra humilis and Azalea speciosa humilis.  Azalea scabra Lodd. ex A.Gray is a synonym of Rhododendron viscosum Torr., which see  Don reports that ‘there are a great number of varieties of this species varying in the colour of the flowers and otherwise.’  Only two are listed in Loddiges’ catalogue, floribunda and humilis.  Azalea speciosa Willd. is a variety of Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr., which see.  Loddiges’ Nursery catalogue lists two varieties, humilis and major.  There is insufficient data to determine which of these plants was grown by Macarthur, if either.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1843 catalogue.  Macarthur had mixed fortunes with plants received from Loddiges’ and elsewhere at this time and many were dead on arrival.  Some of these are listed in a subsequent letter but it is possible that others arrived alive and were planted in the gardens although never listed in the catalogues.

Notes