GODETIA
Family ONAGRACEAE
Goditia grandiflora
Annual
A genus of hardy annuals, related to Oenothera,
that comes from California.
Goditia grandiflora (syn. Oenothera whitneyi, Goditia whitneyi),
from which our garden varieties have largely originated,
has oblong leaves, up to one and a quarter inches
long, and stems one to two feet high that bear
flowers up to four inches across varying in hue
from white to rose red, blotched darkly at the
centre.
Of the varieties of garden origin var. azaleaflora
has large double flowers of pink with crimson
centres.
There are others of crimson, white, salmon, cerise,
rose, cream-pink; some are dwarf and do not exceed
six inches in height.
Varieties varying in height from fifteen inches
to two feet, with both single and double flowers
in a wide range of colour are now available.
May be sown where plants are to flower in autumn
or spring; or raised from sowings under glass,
temperature 55º to 65º F., in early
spring. Fine for cutting.
Propagation is from seed.
The flowering season is from late June to October.
Godetia
Hardy Annual
Six inches to two feet.
Flowers white and various shades of crimson and
rose, July.
One of the best and most satisfactory annuals.
The growth is stiff and upright, and the flowers,
single and funnel-shaped, are carried erect.
One
quality of the petals is distinctive – a
satiny sheen together with a slight crumpling
of the texture.
The colours range from pure white
(Duchess of Albany) through rose-pink (Satin Rose),
light crimson (Lady Albemarle) to deep red (Gloriosa).
The majority grow about fifteen inches high; some
reach two feet; and there are strains of “miniatures”
and “Dwarfs” which do not exceed six
inches.
All should be sown about Lady Day, on
good garden soil, and the seed lightly covered
with sandy sifted compost. Patches from a foot
to a yard across may be sown in mixed borders,
but if possible space should be found for at least
one good sized bed of Lady Albemarle, Bridesmaid
or Gloriosa.
Avoid packets of “mixed”
seed. The after culture consists of prompt and
severe thinning, weeding and the use of the narrow
Dutch hoe on the soil.
Sowings may also be made
towards the end of August, to stand the winter
and flower in early summer.
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