Codonopsis convulvulacaea under lights

[mark smyth]

That happened in Margaret Glynn's garden a couple of years ago. She has these Codonopsis growing in a troughs in the back yard. The visitor I brought, thinks he's a gardener, thought they were weeds and pulled them out saying "you dont want those in there"

[ChrisB]

Thanks Maggi and Susan.  I'll have to give it a suitable home now I guess.  I don't have many places where I can look at it from below.  It looks so delicate but Sue G. told me it was very tough.  It is a very pretty flower from the original post and pic.  Thanks again

[Maggi Young]

Chris, it will scramble to quite a height, around six to eight feet so it is quite easy to see into its flowers. We grow some up early flowering clematis, C. barbellata and through a Mutisia as well as letting some twine their way over ground and up smaller rhodos.
I like all Codonopsis, though the stinky ones are pretty smelly.. the flowers are so intricate, lovely colours and markings, like little passion flowers, almost.

[Lesley Cox]

It's really offensive I think, when someone comes into the garden and proceeds to "weed" it, pulling up this and that.

[mark smyth]

Does this include willow herb and NZ cardamines?

[Lesley Cox]

Yes, it jolly well does Mark. Apart from anything else, we're not bothered with willow herb to any extent (not E. angustifolium anyway) and the NZ cardamine has a tap root which needs to be got under. That aside, damage can be done to wanted seedlings or plants and I feel it's like an invasion of my private space which I can do without. Someone wouldn't dream of coming in my house and flicking a duster around or doing the washing. Why should they touch my garden?

[Maggi Young]

Someone wouldn't dream of coming in my house and flicking a duster around or doing the washing. Why should they touch my garden?

Hear, hear!  A very dear chum weeded all the tiny aciphylla seedlings out of a trough a few years ago, Ian has never let her forget it!

[Paul T]

Mark,

I hope the Codonopsis weeder was lynched!!  I just don't accept that someone pulls "weeds" out of someone's garden without permission.  It is different with close friends where you know what is and isn't a weed in their garden (for example I pull flick weed out at friend's places all the time, but even then I always ask if it is OK before pulling out the first one.... EVERY time I visit I might add.  That and bleedin 'Herb  Robert <shudder>).  To me it is just plain rude to pull anything out in anyone's garden without permission, regardless of how "common" or weedy you yourself may feel it is. 

OK, rant over now!!    I too would never let someone forget pulling out something precious.   

[Susan Band]

Well if anyone fancies coming over here and pulling some weeds out they are welcome. I will provide the wheelbarrow

[David Shaw]

We are particular about who gets to help us with the weeding, certainly not the grandchildren much to the annoyance of their mother!

One of our greatest honours in the gardening world was to be invited - invited - to help with weeding at Askival. We restricted ourselves to obvious 'poppers' and willow herbs etc but were pleased that Mike thought that we had some sense.

Lesley, if you happen to pop into our house when we are not home the dusters and vacuum are in the kitchen cupboard and you will find a hand fork and bucket in the garden shed. Make yourself at home, I will not feel embarrased although I might feel sore if Carol reads this post

[Lesley Cox]

Well thanks David, since I have permission I'll probably take you up on it, though remember, this cleaning lady likes a little (amber liquid) something, after a hard day's housework. Where's THAT cupboard?

[mark smyth]

I have a small problem with Geranium robertianum too but I like it's bigger cousin G. rubescens now renamed G. yeoi

[David Shaw]

In the dining room, Lesley. Well stocked!


Now, I haven't visited Carol and David, but I do know that any visitor to their place will never die of thirst...we're talking good hosts ,here! Maggi)

[David Shaw]

Then just get on the bus, Maggie!!! You're not a thousand miles away, or however many thousand Lesley is.

[Maggi Young]

I think Lesley is about twelve thousand miles away, David, to  less than a hundred for me! Dreadful, isn't it? But I am infamous for my lack of visiting: I even visit  less than I do housework, and that's saying something!