Codonopsis

Codonopsis - The members of this small genus of the Bellflower order are remarkable rather for a quaint, distinctive beauty of their own, not half of which is disclosed externally. Of drooping, bell-shaped outline, the flowers contain their greater beauty within the corolla, and which, moreover, is not all seen at a glance. At the present time greater interest attaches to the group than was formerly the case, by reason of several new additions from China, some of these surpassing in their quaint markings the earlier-known members of the race. A possible weak point, one not favouring their general cultivation perhaps, is that of lacking complete hardiness, and in northern districts winter protection had better be afforded the roots. In other respects they are not difficult of cultivation, preferring always well-drained sandy loams and a warm exposure. So far as position is concerned, it were better, I think, because of the greater beauty of the flowers internally, that the plants be raised on moderately high shelving rocks, where the root-run is deep and good, and where complete drainage, and possibly, also, a certain immunity from the attacks of slugs—which have a fondness for the young shoots of the plant—would, to some extent, be assured. Such a position, too, would exactly suit the trailing habit of some. The plants may be raised from seeds and from cuttings. The following are the more important:-

Related Flowers

Codonopsis Bulleyi

Codonopsis Bulleyi - A trailing species found by Mr Forrest when plant-hunting in China. The soft, lavender-blue flowers are drooping, distinctly contracted about the middle, and openly bell-shaped at the mouth. A pretty free-flowering novelty.

Codonopsis Clematidea

Codonopsis Clematidea - A climbing or twining species of 2 or 3 feet high; flowers creamy-white spotted with purple and tinged with blue.

Codonopsis Meleagris

Codonopsis Meleagris - This remarkable Chinese species has for a year or two past been one of the more conspicuous hardy plant novelties in Messrs Bees exhibit at the Holland House Show. As there shown, the well-flowered examples were nearly a foot high, the roundly, bell-shaped, drooping flowers of rare beauty. The ground color is a very pale porcelain-blue, the heavy markings, so striking a feature of the species, rich chocolate to purple, the base or centre of the flowers internally green.

Codonopsis Ovata

Codonopsis Ovata - The flowers, two or more on a stem, are drooping, bell-shaped, pale greyish-blue in color, with purple reticulations and orange and white base internally. The greater beauty is within the nodding bells. The plant is 18 inches or 2 feet high, with small, ovate, soft, greyish and somewhat downy leaves and flowers from June onwards. W. Himalayas.—E. H. J.