In our enthusiasm for “something new,” for the “rare and unusual,” for “an improvement through hybridizing,” there seems to be a tendency to overlook some of the old-time garden favorites which might well be rated intrinsically 100%.
Of all the hardy herbaceous perennials, Dictamnus and Platycodon, time-tested through many human generations, could be unhesitatingly recommended as features for any flower garden.
Volatile Lemon-Like Fragrance
At “Chailey” in Newburyport, where clumps of both have occupied the same locations for nearly half a century, we regard them as “aristocrats.”
Dictamnus (the old Greek name supposed to indicate foliage like the ash tree), hence fraxinella, diminutive of the Latin Fraxinus (ash). Popularly “gas plant” or “burning bush,” so called because of the volatile lemon-like fragrance.
Most intense during the early seedpod stage may be ignited with the production of a momentary flash, ruinous of course to the seedpods, but always a matter of considerable interest to the uninitiated.
Seedpod Stage
A vigorous, symmetrical herb with glossy, leathery foliage surmounted here in early June by long showy racemes of fragrant flowers, individually not unlike small orchids.
An old plant may attain a size of over 3′ feet in height and 10′ feet in circumference.
These clumps, both the white flower and the rosy variety, are ornamental through the season, whether in flower, in the seedpod stage, or minus the terminal racemes.
The rosy variety carries seed pods with brilliant red tints that I consider sufficiently ornamental to avoid removal till near maturity. Both varieties are excellent for cutting.
Easily grown from seed sown in the open ground soon after ripening in late July, germination occurring in the following spring.
Potting of Seedlings
The seedlings should be potted and kept till planted where desired for permanent placement because established plants certainly resent transplanting.
They seem to thrive in full sunlight or partial shade, are not fastidious regarding soil, and withstand drought to such an extent.
During the dry period, the only visible effect on the old clumps is the lack of development of the terminal four or five seed pods out of a possible 20 or 30.
Platycodon (Greek, broad bell; referring to the open flower.)
Bell Flower (Chinese or Japanese)
Popularly, “Chinese or Japanese bellflower”; or “balloon flower” refers to the flower just opening with five splits beginning at the center of the top surface of the “balloon” and extending halfway to the base.
These open flowers, up to 3″ inches in diameter, occur at the tips of branches produced by a clump’s individual stems, which are of variable length up to three feet.
The foliage is glabrous with an unequally toothed margin. The flowers are five-lobed, to be had in blue, white, and variegated plant types.
Clumps increase in size as years pass till root division (best done in spring) may be advisable.
Some of the oldest clumps here, with 40 or more stems, proceed from a fleshy root system that occupies 8 or 10 cubic feet of soil. This soil is a medium sandy loam with perfect drainage.
Growing Platycodon
Platycodon thrives in full sun; also in light shade.
Old flowers should be pulled from the branches (accompanied by a slight exudation of a sticky, milky sap).
Stems-bearing buds may be cut and will open flowers indoors. Immediate searing of the cut stem end has been recommended for better keeping. I have not found that searing makes an appreciable difference.
In the garden, the stems should not be removed from the rootstock till thoroughly withered after Autumn’s frost.
When the stems are removed, the site of the rootstock should be marked because, due to the comparatively late starting of new growth in the following spring, early garden cultivation could damage the plant’s crown.
When the season’s new growth has reached a height of 8″ or 10″ inches, I have found arranging support for the larger clumps desirable.
Most satisfactory has been the driving into the ground around the clump of three or four stakes, each 12″ to 16″ inches long, and then running around the tops of these stakes, a piece of hay-wire.
Garden Fertilizer
Neither Dictamnus nor Platycodon seems to require any special or fussy culture. Any well-balanced garden fertilizer might be used to advantage in the spring, but no spraying or dusting is required.
As with Platycodon, the season’s growth of Dictamnua should not be removed in the dall till fully withered and paper-dry.
44659 by Dr. George O. Clark