Rhododendron ‘Robustum’

Horticultural & Botanical History

No data.

History at Camden Park

It was included among desiderata in a letter to John Lindley dated 15th February 1848 [MP A2933-1, p.157] and to Sir William Hooker on 11th February 1848 although not marked ‘arrived’ on Macarthur’s copies.  [MP A2933-1, p.165].  It had previously been obtained from Loddiges’ Nursery but in a letter dated 13th February 1848 Macarthur reported it dead on arrival.  [MP A2933-1, p.172].  It was requested again of Kew on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1, p.177] and obtained from them, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849.  Believed by Macarthur to be a new introduction at that time but he seems to have had doubts about it as there is a question mark against it in the confirmatory list sent to King.  [ML A1980-3].  It was not listed in any catalogues.

Notes

Azalea hybridae-belgicae robusta, an early Ghent hybrid, is listed in the 1836 edition of Loddiges’ Nursery catalogue, a copy of which is held at Camden Park [CPA].  This is a possible, but unlikely identification.  See Rhododendron x gandavensis ‘Gloria-mundi’ for further information.