Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr.

The species is a robust, deciduous azalea with lax trusses of funnel-shaped, bright orange to scarlet flowers, to 5cm across, usually opening with the leaves or just after they emerge, in late spring or early summer.  One of the most vividly coloured of the wild azaleas.  To 2.5m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers'].

Added on June 08 2009

Camellia japonica ‘Aspasia’

A cultivar of Camellia japonica L. Camden Park bred, 1/50.  ‘Light flesh colour, with a few splashes of crimson and pink.  Three rows of outer petals, large, thick and well formed; inner petals more rounded and twisted.  Moderate size.  Very handsome.’  William Macarthur.  [MP A2948-6]. 

Added on January 24 2009

Iris germanica L. subsp. pallida (Lam.) O.Bolòs & Vigo var. pallida

See Iris germanica L. subsp. pallida (Lam.) O.Bolòs & Vigo for a description of the type.  With white flowers, ‘I. swertii is probably an approximate albino form or a hybrid.’  [Dykes]. 

Added on November 08 2009

Taxodium mucronatum Ten.

Taxodium mucronatum is very similar to Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich., which see, but its leaves are semi-persistent in warm areas.  To 45m.  [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’]. 

Added on August 07 2009

Ixia species yellow and black

Unidentified Ixia, no description.

Added on November 16 2009

Iochroma cyaneum (Lindl.) M.L.Green

Frost tender, erect to spreading shrub with downy shoots, softly-hairy, ovate to lance-shaped leaves, to 15cm long, and drooping umbel-like trusses of up to 20, tubular, deep purple-blue flowers, to 5cm long, in summer.  To 3m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Added on February 27 2010

Heteromeles arbutifolia (Ait.) M.Roem.

Half-hardy evergreen shrub with thick and leathery, lance-shaped leaves, to 10cm long, and flattened, terminal panicles of white flowers in late summer, followed by small red berries.  To 4.5m.  [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Added on February 05 2010

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

Letters on the Culture of the Vine Part 10: The Wine Cellar

Letters on the Culture of the Vine and Manufacture of Wine by Maro, pen-name of William Macarthur. Letter XVIII, the final letter, describes the construction and operation of a wine cellar. Although Macarthur writes ‘I have not had so much experience practically in the construction of this description of buildings, as with the majority of the details, upon which, I have endeavoured to communicate information’ it seems likely that the building he describes in such detail is modeled on the Wine House at Camden Park, the remains of which survive. Indeed, in discussing the perfect site, he also writes that ‘such in fact is the description of site adopted at Camden’. The illustration used here is a photograph of the ruins of the Camden Park Wine House showing the brick and sandstone vats built in the cellar of this building 170 years ago. These are ‘of two sizes, which contain respectively, 900 and 1,700 gallons; and we use them, as well to ferment in, as to store the wine in afterwards.’ So well built were these vats that William Macarthur asserted ‘they will probably endure without repairs for generations’. He was certainly correct in this as, although they have not been used for more than 100 years and have been open to the elements for much of this time, three of these vats are still in good repair today. The other two are partly collapsed. In this final letter Macarthur also describes the construction of brick wine bins such as are to be seen in the cellars at Camden Park house. A photograph on one of these bins is given in Part 9.

The entire book is reproduced in the Hortus in ten parts. For background information and Macarthur’s Introduction to the book see Part 1.

Published Oct 03, 2010 - 03:00 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 11:10 AM

Australian native plants in the Hortus

Australian native plants were important to the gardening enterprises of Camden Park.  Even today Australian trees such as Araucaria species, Agathis robusta, Brachychiton populneum, Lagunaria pattersonia, Grevillea robusta and several species of palm very much define the landscape of the gardens.  Australian plants, particularly native orchids and ferns, were sent to England in large numbers in exchange for the exotic plants that were so much desired by Macarthur and his fellow colonists.

Published Mar 13, 2010 - 05:22 PM | Last updated Jul 30, 2010 - 02:32 PM

Thomas Harris (1885-1948)

Thomas Harris, born in Worcestershire in 1885, was a gardener at Camden Park from 1913 to 1938.

Published Aug 16, 2012 - 11:09 AM | Last updated Mar 16, 2015 - 02:12 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