Practical
Plants

Campanula portenschlagiana

Adria Bellflower

a perennial evergreen member of the Campanula genus in the family Campanulaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.25 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. The leaves are rather small, but they are produced all year round[K]. They have a mild flavour and make an acceptable ingredient in mixed salads, especially in the winter, but we find that, eaten in quantity, they become a bit unpleasant[K]. Flowers - raw. Very freely produced, they have a pleasant flavour and make a very decorative addition to salads[K].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A rampantly spreading plant, suitable for ground cover in a sunny position[4][6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
S. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Naturalized on walls and rocky banks in central and southern England.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[2]. 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[1]. 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[5]. Very easy, the plant can be divided at almost any time of the year[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil preferring full sun but also succeeding in partial shade[10][12][13]. This species prefers a slightly shaded position[14]. Plants can be grown on a dry stone wall[12] and succeed in poor soils[14].

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[12]. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[14]. The plants are self-fertile[14]. A rampant plant, capable of spreading widely when in suitable conditions by means of both underground roots and long stems above ground[11][16]. It makes a good ground cover but can become a nuisance if it is not sited with care[12]. It is, however, fairly easy to control by simply pulling up any parts of the plant that wander too far[16]. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[12].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[15].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩

  3. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

  4. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

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

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

    ↩

  11. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

  14. Crook. H. Clifford. Campanulas - their cultivation and classification. Country Life (1951-00-00)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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