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Campanula cochleariifolia

Common name:	Fairies Thimbles	Family:	Campanulaceae
Author:	Lam.	Botanical references:	200
Synonyms:	Campanula pusilla (Haenke..), Campanula pumila, Campanula bellardii (All.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Europe.
Habitat:	Cracks in rocks in mountains throughout most of temperate Europe[221].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	4	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	C. cochlearifolia[G,P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Dwarf Bellflower [H], Earleaf Bellflower [P], Fairies Thimbles [H],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	cochlear = spoon shaped;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Campanulales. Bellflower family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.15m by 0.3m . It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles and Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. We rate it 4/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds, In Walls, In South Wall, In East Wall, In West Wall.

Edible Uses

Flowers; Leaves.

Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant mild flavour[K].
Flowers - raw or cooked. Slightly sweet[K].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant that succeeds in most situations so long as they are not both hot and dry[221]. In nature, the plant is found in poor soils and rock crevices and, in cultivation, when introduced to the richer conditions of the garden, is apt to spread by means of seeds and a creeping rhizome - indeed some gardeners consider it a pest even though it is beautiful and long-flowering[271]. It is probably best grown in a poor soil, indeed it grows happily in pure gravel and sand[271]. It succeeds on drystone walls where it can become invasive[200]. It does especially well on the top of walls where there are cracks for it to root into[219]. Prefers a moist but well-drained sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[1, 200].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[200].
The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[221]. The plants are self-fertile and often self-sow in the garden[221, 271].
There are several named varieties selected for their ornamental value[200]. 'Elizabeth Oliver' has pleasantly flavoured leaves[K].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

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. Very easy[221], 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.

Cultivars

'Elizabeth Oliver': This is a double-flowered form that has pleasantly flavoured leaves[K].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Campanula cochlearifolia (a possible synonym).

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for Campanula pusilla (a possible synonym).

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[219] Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

[221] Crook. H. Clifford. Campanulas Country Life 1951
A comprehensive treatment of the genus.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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