Practical
Plants

Campanula punctata

Chinese Rampion

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.35 m
Spread
0.75 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

The flowers and leaves are used as potherbs[2][3][4]. The leaves are slightly hairy but they have a very pleasant taste raw, with a pleasant sweetness[K]. They have been enjoyed by almost everyone we have given them to try and make a very acceptable salad[K]. The flowers make a decorative and tasty addition to the salad bowl[K].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan, Siberia.
Habitat
Grassy slopes in lowland and low mountains all over Japan[10]. Waste places such as roadsides and stony slopes on hills from the lowlands to elevations of 1700 metres[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. Easy[6]. 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[6], 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

Succeeds in most fertile well-drained soils[7], though it prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[1][5]. Plants are hardy in most parts of Britain but are best grown in pots in a cold greenhouse[1]. Another report says that it is very well suited to the ornamental garden[5]. This species has proved to be difficult of cultivation in many gardens, though it spreads freely in others[6] and can become invasive[7]. It probably requires a very light soil, and is more inclined to die out when growing in clay[6][8]. Where successful, the plants usually produce an abundance of seed and sometimes self-sow[6][8]. Closely related to C. takesimana[8]. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[6]. The plants are self-fertile[6]. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[5]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[7].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  3. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩

  10. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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