Godetia bifrons Hort.
Fully hardy biennial with purple flowers with a prominent crimson blotch in the centre of the petals, in summer. To 45cm. [BR f.1405/1831]. Said to be a hybrid between Clarkia amoena A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr. roseo-alba, synonym Oenothera roseo-alba Bernh., and Clarkia amoena A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr. lindleyi.
Horticultural & Botanical History
According to the Botanical Register it is a hybrid: ‘This very interesting variety was obtained in the Garden of the Horticultural Society by Mr. James Ewing, between O. roseo-alba and O. Lindleyana. A great number of slightly different varieties were raised from the seed; but the best of them was certainly that we figured. […] To the fine full flower of the former it adds the deep crimson spots of the latter; and in mode of growth is, as it were, intermediate between the two,-less bushy than Oenothera roseo-alba, more erect than Oenothera lindleyana.’ [BR f.1405/1831]. Godetia bifrons was listed as an annual plant suitable for bedding by The Gardeners Chronicle: ‘An ornamental, erect-growing plant of neat habit, eighteen inches to two feet high, with medium sized leaves and terminal racemes of large, conspicuous rosy-lilac, cup or salver-shaped flowers (two inches wide), picturesquely marked with bright rosy-crimson, cloud-like spots in the centre of the flower-lobes or petals.’ [Gard. Chron. 1852].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.109/1845].
Notes
Published Feb 12, 2009 - 05:02 PM | Last updated Jul 28, 2010 - 03:28 PM
Godetia bifrons Hort. | BR f.1405/1831 | BHL
| Family | Onagraceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, Britain |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Godetia bifida |
| Confidence level | medium |