How to Grow Codonopsis Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Bonnet Bellflower and Deodeok

Codonopsis plants are a genus of hardy perennial climbers.

They may have either star or bell like flowers of blue, green, or yellow. These come into bloom in the summer.

Another name for a member of the Codonopsis genus is Bonnet bellflower.

Some Latin names include Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen), Codonopsis lanceolata (Deodeok / Lance asiabell), and Codonopsis clematidea (Asian Bell Flower).

Codonopsis lanceolata by Y. K. Tarabagani.

Codonopsis mollis by Anniesannuals.

How to Grow Bonnet Bellflower (Codonopsis)

Seeds of Codonopsis can be planted out either before the last frost of spring or in the autumn. They should be sown on the surface. Ideally locate into a sunny part of the garden that has dry acidic soil.

If growing indoors, then seeds of bonnet bellflower should be sown into peat pots at the end of winter.

They take from one to four weeks to germinate, at a temperature of about 16 to 21 degrees centigrade (61 to 70°F).

Seedlings of Codonopsis should then be planted out after the last frost of spring. Space at about 50 cm apart (20 inches).

Caring for Codonopsis

Once established, the Codonopsis plant should be tied to a trellis.

I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Codonopsis plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Rampion, Jasione plant, and Platycodon plants.