DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE BEST KINDS 215 



Claytonia. The Claytonias, which belong to the 

 Purslane family (Portulaceae) , are distinguished by rather 

 succulent stems and flowers that usually open only in 

 sunshine. They are native chiefly of North and South 

 America. C. asarifolia, a dwarf evergreen, with blush- 

 coloured flowers in June ; C. caroliniana, another dwarf 

 grower, bearing rose-coloured blooms in May, and C. 

 virginica, of rather taller growth, earliest of all,with whitish 

 flowers in April, are chiefly worth growing among the 

 perennials. A somewhat shady place and a soil of half 

 loam and half leaf-soil suit them. They are propagated 

 by dividing the plants in spring or late summer. 



Codonopsis. The one kind valued for the rock 

 garden is C. ovata, native of the Himalayas. The Codo- 

 nopsis belong to the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae). 

 C. ovata grows some ten inches high, and has pale blue 

 flowers in June. It needs only ordinary soil, and a fairly 

 sunny position. Propagation is effected by dividing 

 the roots in September or in March, or by seeds. 



Gonandron. There is only one member of this genus, 

 namely C. ramondioides. It is native of Japan, and 

 belongs to Gesneraceae, to which family belong the green- 

 house flowers Gloxinia and Achimenes. Conandron ra- 

 mondioides forms a tuft of rather large leaves, and bears 

 in June somewhat tube-shaped purplish-pink flowers. 

 It is of doubtful hardiness, and is commonly protected 

 with a bell glass in winter. A sheltered and partially 

 shaded position and soil consisting of loam, peat and 

 sand are necessary. It may be raised from seeds. 



