Adriatic Bellflower (Campanula fenestrellata)

Adriatic Bellflower (Campanula fenestrellata)
(c) Sebastian Ćato, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Sebastian Ćato

At a glance

Lifecycle
Perennial (hardy)
Exposure
Full sun
Frost limit
−23.3 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun though it also tolerates partial shade. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c. Closely related to C. garganica, differing in its larger leaves, longer stems and fewer flowers. The pollen is blue, whilst that of C. garganica is yellow. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn.

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. A pleasant sweet flavour[K]. It makes a very acceptable addition to mixed salads in the winter[K]. Flowers - raw. Produced in abundance, they have a pleasant sweet flavour and make a decorative addition to the salad bowl[K].

Habitat

Not known

Native range

S. Europe - Adriatic Coast.

Same genus