CALCEOLARIA, SHRUBBY

Calceolaria rugosa. Half-hardy perennial



Notwithstanding the ease with which cuttings of the Shrubby Calceolaria

can be carried through a severe winter, there is a growing disposition

to obtain the required number of plants from seed sown in February; and

seedlings have the advantage of great variety of colour. A frame or

greenhouse, and the most ordinary treatment, will suffice to insure a

large stock of attractive healthy plants for the embellishment of beds

and borders.





CAMPANULA and CANTERBURY BELL



Hardy annual, hardy biennial, and hardy perennial



Among the numerous and diverse forms in the order Campanulaceae are many

flowers of great value in the garden, including Single, Double, and Cup

and Saucer strains of the popular Canterbury Bell (C. medium). The

impression that some Campanulas are shy growers and require

exceptionally careful treatment may arise from the frail habit of

certain varieties, or from the fact that some of them occasionally fail

to bloom within twelve months from date of sowing. The idea is not worth

a moment's consideration. In moderately rich, well-drained soil the

finest Campanulas not only prove to be thoroughly hardy, but they are

most graceful in herbaceous borders or beds, and they may also be used

alone in bold clumps with splendid effect. For instance, the handsome

Chimney Campanulas (C. pyramidalis and C. pyramidalis alba)

frequently attain a height of six feet or more, and sturdy spikes

occasionally measure eight and even ten feet from base to tip. Such

specimens are magnificent ornaments in conservatories and corridors, and

cannot fail to arrest attention at the back of herbaceous borders, or

when used as isolated plants on lawns. When grown in pots use a light

rich compost, taking care to insure perfect drainage. The plants must

never be allowed to become dry, as this not only checks growth but

renders them liable to attack by red spider or green fly. Another

distinctive subject for the decoration of the conservatory is C.

grandis, which may be described as a dwarf Chimney Campanula. The

freely branching plants, covered with attractive flowers, also form a

striking group when grown in the open border.



Altogether different in character is C. persicifolia grandiflora, or

the Peach-leaved Bell-flower as it is sometimes called. This plant is

lighter and more graceful than the Canterbury Bell. It throws up

handsome stems, two feet high, clothed from the ground with lance-like

leaves and elegant bells which quiver in the slightest breeze. An

interesting plant is the Giant Harebell, a dainty flower on a slender

stem, resembling the wild variety in form, but larger, richer in colour,

and a more profuse bloomer. C. glomerata is one of the hardiest plants

that can be grown in any garden, and the large close heads of deep blue

bells have long been familiar in herbaceous borders. For its very fine

glistening, deep blue, erect flowers, C. grandiflora is also a great

favourite.



Campanulas were formerly propagated by division, but this treatment has

created the impression that they are unworthy to be ranked among the

perennials. From seed, the plants are extremely robust. C. persicifolia

grandiflora resents division, which frequently results in weakened

growth and a tendency, especially in poor or badly drained soil, to

dwindle away. The only satisfactory method of growing Campanulas is to

raise plants annually from good strains of seed. If sown in gentle heat

early in the year--February is the usual month--many of the varieties

flower the same season. When they are well started, plenty of light and

air must be admitted. Unless intended for potting they should be planted

out in good soil where they will require no more care than is bestowed

on the borders generally. Seed can also be sown in the open ground from

May to July; transplant in autumn for flowering in the following season.

During hot weather, particularly on light soil, the plants need to be

well watered, but in retentive ground thorough drainage must be insured.

Should signs of debility appear, transplant to rich soil, where they

will soon regain vigour.



A popular half-hardy Campanula is C. fragilis, of trailing habit. The

starry pale blue flowers are seen to most advantage in hanging-baskets.

The charm of these flowers is wholly lost if they are placed on a stage

in the greenhouse; and they are not entirely satisfactory in a window

where the light is transmitted through the petals, as this robs them of

colour and substance. But hanging in a conservatory with plenty of air

and space their slender drooping stems are very graceful, and the light

reflected from the flowers does full justice to their beauty. Sow in

pans during February or March and pot on as required.



All the foregoing are perennials, but two little hardy annual Campanulas

are Attica and A. alba, growing about six inches high. They make

useful foreground plants, and are quite at home in rock gardens. Sow in

April on light soil.



The Canterbury Bell has already been alluded to; it is a charming

hardy biennial forming a valuable feature of the mixed border. The large

semi-double blooms of the Cup and Saucer class and the double varieties

are modern introductions which have become extremely popular; the range

of colours now includes the most delicate shades of pink, mauve, and

blue, in addition to pure white. Seed may be sown from April to July.

When the seedlings are large enough transplant them where required for

flowering in the summer of the succeeding year. But Canterbury Bells are

also interesting in the greenhouse during spring; for this work pot them

in October and on to December. So treated, they bloom even more

generously than in the garden. There can be no more beautiful adornment

for a hall or large drawing-room than a well-placed group of the fine

white flowers, backed by a mass of dark-foliaged plants.