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Campanula latiloba

Common name:		Family:	Campanulaceae
Author:	A.DC.	Botanical references:	200
Synonyms:	Campanula grandis (Fisch.&C.A.Mey.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Europe - Siberia.
Habitat:	Not known
Edibility Rating (1-5):	3	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	C. persicifolia sessiliflora[H] C. persicifolia subsp. sessiliflora[H]
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Campanulales. Bellflower family

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen perennial growing to 0.9m by 0.5m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 3. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September. 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 3/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Meadow, Woodland, Dappled Shade, Walls, Ground Cover.

Edible Uses

Flowers; Leaves.

Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. Pleasantly sweet, though individual leaves are quite small. The leaves are available all year round.
Flowers - a pleasant taste and texture with a slight sweetness[K].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

Ground cover.

Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way, they form spreading clumps[208].

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant that succeeds in almost any soil[221], it prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun though it also tolerates partial shade[1, 200, 208]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[200].
If the plants are cut back by half after the first flush of flowering, they will usually produce a second flush[271].
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[221]. Plants often self-sow in British gardens[221].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[208].
This species is very closely related to C. persicifolia, differing from that species in having stalkless flowers and stiff rather thick angular stems[271]. The main difference from a gardener's viewpoint is that this species is coarser and more robust with stems that rarely blow over[271].
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[138]. Easy[221]. 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[200]. 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

'Highcliffe': A very strong growing cultivar with rich lavender violet flowers.
'Hidcote Amethyst': A very ornamental form of the species, the leaves have a very pleasant sweetness[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 grandis (a possible synonym).

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

References for Campanula persicifolia subsp. sessiliflora (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]).

[138] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[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.

[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[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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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.