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.

Verbena x hybrida ‘Imperatrice Josephine’

A cultivar of Verbena x hybrida Hort. ex Vilm., the Florists’ Verbena. ‘This very pretty variety of dwarf habit, not exceeding 4ins in height and bearing a succession of bright lavender flowers striped with white, [is] well adapted for edging or small beds.’  Youll & Co. advertisement.  [Gard. Chron. 1857].  ‘Imperatrice Josephine’ was included in Wood’s list of rich-coloured varieties.  ‘Imperatrice Josephine [is an] interesting approach to a lively blue.’  [Gard. Chron. 1848].

Horticultural & Botanical History

For information on the botanical and horticultural history of the Florists’ Verbena see Verbena x hybrida Hort. ex Vilm.

History at Camden Park

In February 1849 William Macarthur wrote to James Backhouse: ‘I am desirous to obtain a good collection of the best Verbenas of different shades of colour and I have extracted from a descriptive list published in the Gardener’s Chronicle of 8 April ’48 (which appears to have been written by Mr Wood of Fishergate Nursery, York) – a number of names under the belief that they will supply the variety we require.’  [MP A2933-1, p.183].  There is no record that these plants were received but it seems likely that they were.  

Notes

Published Apr 24, 2009 - 03:19 PM | Last updated Aug 29, 2011 - 05:08 PM

Family Verbenaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, probably Belgium or France

Synonyms
Common Name

Florists’ Verbena

Name in the Camden Park Record

Verbena ‘Imperatrice Josephine’

Confidence level high