Practical
Plants

Campanula carpatica

Tussock Bellflower

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant flavour, they are slightly sweet but a little bit chewy when eaten raw[K]. Flowers - raw or cooked. Slightly sweet, they make a pleasant and decorative addition to salads[K].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

Plants make a good ground cover when planted about 30cm apart each way, forming a spreading clump[3].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
S. E. Europe - Carpathian Mountains.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. Seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. Very easy from seed[5]. 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. Very easy[5], larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in a sunny position though it also tolerates partial shade[1][2][3]. A very easy species to grow, it will tolerate almost any soil or situation though it prefers the fullest amount of sun[5]. Plants grow well on a sunny wall so long as the roots have soil to grow into[4]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[2]. A very free-flowering plant, indeed it has one of the longest flowering periods of any species in this genus[7]. If the plant is cut back as the flowers fade, it will usually produce a second flush of flowers later in the season[7]. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[5]. This species, however, especially under garden conditions, is more likely to produce hybrids than most other members of the genus[7]. The plants are self-fertile[5]. A very variable species in the wild[7]. There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[2]. 'Chewton Joy' has pleasantly flavoured leaves[K]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  3. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  4. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

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  5. Crook. H. Clifford. Campanulas - their cultivation and classification. Country Life 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  7. Lewis. P. & Lynch. M. Campanulas - A Gardener's Guide. B. T. Batsford. London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-7134-8266-4

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