CLIMBING BELLFLOWER Codonopsis

This rarely-seen climbing has amazing patterned flowers, generally pale blue, with deeper blue patterning inside, along with black, orange and maroon painting inside. This is hardy, so will return each year without replanting! Will happily scramble through shrubs, climb trellises and/or other supports.

Type: Hardy perennial  

Hardiness zones: 4-9

Location: Sun or part

Seeds per pack: 20

Germination: As with many perennials, these benefit from a period of moist cold to help them break dormancy. This is done by giving them a cool 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:

Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cool area (but not freezing) for 4-5 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout a few weeks, or occasionally several months, after the warming period.