CAMPANULA 



CAMPANULA 



643 



dersonii, 12 to 18 inches, all blooming freely from 

 late in June to early August, are good examples. Cam- 

 panula glomerata var. acaulis, a clustered-flowering low- 

 growing form, violet-blue, June and July, answers the 

 same purpose, while C. glomerata var. dahurica, 12 to 

 18 inches, dark violet-blue and white, very free-flower- 

 ing, is valuable also as a border plant. Other good rock- 

 ery kinds are C. fragilis (which needs protection, but 

 makes a good pot-plant), C. pulla in sheltered position, 

 C. Portenschlagiana, and C. rotundifolia. Many of the 

 larger-growing kinds are also good for the rock-garden. 

 The best two representatives of the biennial class, are 

 C. Medium and C. calycanthema, both standard garden 

 flowers. In the northern states, especially, they do 

 exceedingly well. When used for mass effects, their full 

 bloom becomes a prominent feature of June. The deli- 

 cate shades of pink and pale lavender, the purity of the 

 white, and the rich tints in purple and blue are a reve- 

 lation. They transplant very easily, even in an ad- 

 vanced state of growth, and readily respond to mild forc- 

 ing under glass in spring. In a cut state, they show 

 remarkably good lasting qualities and are of excellent 

 value as material for filling vases. A few other good 

 biennials are C. sibirica, C. primulsefolia, C. spicata, 

 (p. 650), C. thyrsoides. The peach-leaved section com- 

 prises the most perfect forms of the bellflower family, 

 although C. persicifolia has been surpassed in popular 

 favor by the more yigorou < C. grandiflora varieties in 

 white and blue, which are really platycodons. C. iso- 

 phylla, native of Italy, is not hardy in Maine and must 

 be overwintered under glass. It is a very effective 

 basket- and balcony-box plant, its long hanging vines 

 being covered with large and attractive flowers in July 

 and August. The color is a delicate light blue, while 

 the bells of its garden descendant C. Mayii, have a 

 deeper shade. For the South, both are valuable acqui- 

 sitions for rockeries. Of the perennial species, according 

 to Robert Cameron, the best border plants are the fol- 

 lowing: C. carpatica and vars. alba and turbinata; C. 

 glomerata, especially var. dahurica; C. lactiflora; C. lati- 

 folia, especially its vars. eriocarpa and macrantha; C. 

 nobilis (about 2 ft. in height); C. persicifolia and its 

 numerous vars., especially the white kinds; C. punc- 

 tata (about 1 % ft.) ; C. pyramidalis, a very showy plant 

 when well grown, but not quite reliable in the eastern 

 states as to hardiness, making a good pot-plant for the 

 cool greenhouse; C. rapunculoides, which spreads rap- 

 idly and must be so placed that it will not crowd out 

 the other plants that are near it; C. rotundifolia; C. 

 Trachelium; C. Van Houttei, a hybrid, and one of the 

 best bellflowers. Campanulas are raised from seed 

 and also by division or cuttings. Seeds should be 

 started early under glass. Cover very shallow, and 

 place the shallow seed-pans near the light in an aver- 

 age temperature of 60. Shade at midday while in pro- 

 cess of germinating; avoid over-watering and "sticky" 

 atmosphere. Transplant seedlings into flats as soon as 

 they can be handled. Harden young plants gradually 

 and transfer them to the open ground in May. C. 

 Medium, C. calycanthema, and all the C. persicifolia 

 varieties, when grown for the cut-flower trade, should 

 be placed on beds where they are intended to pe flow- 

 ered and cropped the next season. They thrive best 

 in a rather light well-manured garden soil. Some of 

 the alpine species require a sandy humus with addi- 

 tions of fine limestone material. When grown for floral 

 garden effect, the open sunny position is preferable 

 throughout the North, while for the South half-shade 

 at midday is likely to prolong the flowering season. 

 Seedlings of single varieties come true to color to 

 a high percentage. Of the semi-double and double C. 

 persicifolia sorts, propagation is usually by division 

 in September. C. isophylla and C. Mayii are shy seeders 

 and are propagated by cuttings in spring. For winter 

 protection, a light covering of straw, leaves or ever- 

 green boughs is sufficient south of New York. In more 



northern parts, hardy campanulas require a uniform 

 layer of leaves 2 to 3 inches thick. The annuals can 

 be raised in the border by seeds sown late in April or 

 May, or raised in the greenhouse and then transferred 

 to the border. The best of the annuals are C. ramosis- 

 sima and var. alba, C. drabifolia, C. Erinus, C. macro- 

 styla, and C. americana. (Richard Rothe.) 



INDEX. 



C. primukefolia and C. spicata will be found in the 

 supplementary list, p. 650. 



GROUP I. Kitchen-garden vegetable: roots radish-like: 

 a salad plant. 



1. Rapunculus, Linn. (Rapunculus verus, Fourr.). 

 RAMPION. Fig. 763. Biennial or perennial, 2-3 ft.: 

 root spindle- or long-radish-shaped, %in. thick, white: 

 st. erect sulcate: lower Ivs. obovate, short-petioled, 

 somewhat crenate; st.-lvs. linear-lanceolate, entire: fls. 

 calyx-tube obconical, lobes 

 lilac, in a spike or raceme; 

 glabrous or bristly, erect, 

 awl-shaped, a half shorter 

 than or nearly equal to 

 the funnel-shaped corolla. 

 Eu., Orient, N. Asia, N. 

 Afr. The roots and Ivs. 

 are eaten as a salad. The 

 seeds, which are very 

 small, are sown in the open 

 ground in early May either 

 broadcast or in drills. A 

 little sand mixed with the 



gives an evener sow- 

 ing. Press firmly, and 

 water carefully. Thin out 

 the seedlings if necessary. 

 Water freely in hot 

 weather. A fresh sowing 

 may be made in June, as 

 early - sown plants may 

 run to seed. Roots are 

 gathered in Oct. and may 

 be stored in sand for win- 

 ter use. "Rapunculus" 

 means a little turnip. 



763. Root of rampion Cam- 

 panula Rapunculus. 



