Spiraea douglassii Hook.
Fully-hardy, vigorous, erect, thicket-forming, deciduous shrub with narrow, oblong leaves, to 10cm long, and dense terminal panicles, to 20cm long, of bowl-shaped, purple-pink flowers in summer. To 2.5m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Europe by David Douglas in 1828. [Hilliers’]. ‘This very beautiful shrub was discovered by Douglas, in British Columbia, and is common on the banks of the Oregon and straits of St. Juan de Fuca; it has also been found in California by Lobb, n. 341, under which number another species has been sent by the same collector, of which we shall give a figure shortly. It was first raised at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Glasgow, from Douglas’s seeds, and since from those of Lobb. It flowered this year in the Royal Gardens, Kew, and in that of Mr. Noble, of Bagshot, to whom we are indebted for the specimen here figured, together with those of S. Nobleana and S. callosa, which will shortly be figured, and under which will be found some further remarks upon this.’ [BM t.5151/1859]. FS pl.2 1re Liv./1846. Don. MB p.195/1845.
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.930/1857]. Probably introduced about 1854 as it is included in a handwritten list in a copy of the 1850 catalogue held in the Mitchell Library, inscribed Wm. Macarthur, Dec. 23rd, 1854. [ML 635.9m].
Notes
Published Feb 06, 2010 - 03:36 PM | Last updated Feb 06, 2010 - 03:42 PM
Family | Rosaceae |
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Category | |
Region of origin | Western North America |
Synonyms |
|
Common Name | Bridal wreath |
Name in the Camden Park Record |
Spiraea Douglassii |
Confidence level | high |