
Selected plants in the Hortus
Dahlia ‘Ringleader’
‘Ringleader’, from Messrs. Holmes and Kemp was considered to be a promising new variety. It is a deep ruby-rose ‘of the finest symmetry’ and was awarded a First Class Certificate at the National Floricultural Society show. [Gard. Chron. 1853].
Added on April 21 2009
Acacia paradoxa DC.
Spiny, usually erect and bushy, sometimes spreading shrub with half ovate phyllodes to 2.5cm long and masses of axillary, globular flower heads, to .5cm or so across, with bright yellow flowers all along the branches. To 3m. [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’, FNSW].
Added on December 26 2009
Erica viscaria L.
Heath with linear leaves in whorls of 4 and drooping racemes of purplish-red flowers. To 60cm. [LBC no.726/1823].
Added on January 09 2009
Corylus colurna L.
Hardy, deciduous, pyramidal tree with corky, corrugated bark, ovate, pointed, toothed leaves, and nuts usually in clusters of 3-6. To 24m. [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Added on April 02 2010
Brunsvigia species unidentified
Unidentified Brunsvigia or related species. There are a number of possibilities but the date of 1857 suggests that it was a true Brunsvigia, probably introduced from the Cape in a larger consignment of bulbs. No other species are mentioned in Macarthur’s or Bidwill’s notes.
Added on January 15 2009
Malus domestica ‘Wood Rick’
I have found no description of this apple in the contemporary literature.
Added on April 16 2010
Crinum zeylanicum L.
Frost-tender, deciduous, bulbous perennial with a large bulb, to 20cm diameter, up to 10, thin, erect or spreading, sword-shaped leaves, sometimes with undulating edges, and flower stems, to 90cm long, bearing up to 20, fragrant white flowers, with a broad violet-crimson keel, in spring. To 90cm. [RHSD, Hortus].
Added on April 28 2009
News
Improvements to Hortus Camdenensis
The Hortus software has been upgraded. This led to some minor errors in the layout of plant names, particularly in the headings of Plant Profile pages but these have now been largely overcome. Improvements are also progressively being made to the content of the Hortus in three main areas, botanical and horticultural history, cross referencing and illustrations. Some enhancements will be done as the opportunity arises but most will be completed family by family. This will take at least two years to complete.
Published Sep 14, 2010 - 04:06 PM | Last updated Aug 12, 2012 - 04:36 PM
Sir William Macarthur on Vines and Vineyards
Sir William Macarthur wrote extensively on vines and Vineyards. It is our intention to publish all his writings in the Hortus.
Published Aug 01, 2010 - 04:58 PM | Last updated Oct 04, 2010 - 04:47 PM
Working Bee dates
Working Bee dates for 2012.
Published Jun 29, 2010 - 02:59 PM | Last updated Jan 10, 2012 - 05:19 PM
Open House and Gardens
Camden Park House and Gardens will be open to the public on Saturday 22nd September, 2012, from 12.00 noon until 4.00 pm, and Sunday 23rd from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.
Published Dec 30, 2009 - 02:58 PM | Last updated Jan 09, 2012 - 05:31 PM
Essays
“The Blight” and the Camden Vineyards
Although the general heading of this collection of essays is ‘William Macarthur on Winemaking’ the two letters and two editorials from the Sydney Herald reproduced here are not from William’s pen. They concern the vine blight and its possible causes but also give an interesting perspective on the vineyards at Camden Park and on the esteem with which the Macarthur’s, particularly William, were held as vine growers as early as 1831. This makes them a worthwhile contribution to the story of the Camden Park wineries.
Published Jul 11, 2011 - 12:27 PM | Last updated Jul 17, 2011 - 05:31 PM
Edmund Blake - Gardener
Edmund Blake is important in the history of Camden Park gardens, where he was employed as a gardener from 1837 until probably at least 1867. William Macarthur named three hybrid plants in his honour, Passiflora ‘Blakei’, Gladiolus ‘Blakei’ and Erythrina ‘Blakei, testament to the high regard in which he was held. Erythrina ‘Blakei’ has survived to this day. It is a magnificent shrub worthy of a place in any large garden.
Published Apr 03, 2010 - 03:35 PM | Last updated Aug 14, 2012 - 04:55 PM
Rambles in New Zealand - part 3
Rambles in New Zealand is the only published work of John Carne Bidwill of any length and an important document in the early colonial history of that country.
It is included in the Hortus for a number of reasons but mainly because, together with his letters to The Gardeners’ Chronicle, it completes the known published works of Bidwill. His importance in the history of the Camden Park gardens and the lack of any substantive treatment of his life and achievements make it appropriate to include all his published work here.
Rambles is published here in four parts:
Part 1 – dedication, Preface, pages 1-29
Part 2 – pages 30-59
Part 3 – pages 60-89
Part 4 – pages 90 -93, List of Subscribers
Published Feb 29, 2012 - 02:11 PM | Last updated Mar 01, 2012 - 07:02 AM
Letters on the Culture of the Vine. Part 1: Introduction
‘Letters’ is an important book in the history of wine production in Australia and this is, I believe, the first time that the full text has been made available outside the major libraries. The value of William Macarthur’s book compared with earlier Colonial publications is that it is written from the perspective of over twenty years of experience of growing grapes and making wine in New South Wales. He does include theory from the pens of European authorities but the bulk of the book is written from personal experience. He is in effect saying ‘this is what we have found to work here’.
‘Letters’ is reproduced in 10 parts, beginning with the Introduction, which provides information on the history of the book and gives a synopsis of early experiences of vine importation and wine production.
Published Aug 27, 2010 - 05:50 PM | Last updated Nov 24, 2011 - 02:57 PM
About the Hortus
The Hortus attempts to correctly identify, describe, illustrate and provide a brief history of all the plants grown at Camden Park between c.1820 and 1861.
Plants in the Hortus
The Hortus plants served a wide range of purposes: ornament, living fences, fibre, dyestuffs, medicine, food from the garden and orchard, and many others.
Plant Families
Plants in the Hortus are grouped by Family, perhaps the most useful of the higher order classifications.
Essays
Essays enhance the Hortus by providing a level of detail about the gardens, people, and plants that would be inappropriate for an individual plant profile.
Hortus News
News provides an opportunity for people interested in the gardens to keep in touch with the work being done to maintain and reinvigorate the gardens and receive advance notice of events such as Open Garden days.