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Campanula portenschlagiana - Schult.

Adria Bellflower

Author	Schult.	Botanical references	200
Family	Campanulaceae	Genus	Campanula
Synonyms	Campanula muralis - Portenschl.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	S. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat	Naturalized on walls and rocky banks in central and southern England.
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen Perennial growing to 0.25m by 1m at a fast rate.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor 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

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover; East Wall In; South Wall In; West Wall In;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves.

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].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

Ground cover.

A rampantly spreading plant, suitable for ground cover in a sunny position[197, 208].

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil preferring full sun but also succeeding in partial shade[1, 200, 208]. This species prefers a slightly shaded position[221]. Plants can be grown on a dry stone wall[200] and succeed in poor soils[221]. 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[221]. A rampant plant, capable of spreading widely when in suitable conditions by means of both underground roots and long stems above ground [188, 271]. It makes a good ground cover but can become a nuisance if it is not sited with care[200]. It is, however, fairly easy to control by simply pulling up any parts of the plant that wander too far[271]. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[200]. 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]. 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, the plant can be divided at almost any time of the year[221].

Cultivars

'Major'

A form with larger flowers than the type[271].

'Resholdt's Variety'

This variety has larger flowers and leaves than the species[271]. The flowers are paler in colour[271].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Ground cover plants., Plants for Problem Places - North Facing Walls and Deep Shade, The Potted Garden.

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.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[197] Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989 ISBN 0-304-31089-1
A handy little booklet from the R.H.S.

[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 - their cultivation and classification. Country Life 1951
The most comprehensive treatment of the genus yet written (2002).

[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.

[271] Lewis. P. & Lynch. M. Campanulas - A Gardener's Guide. B. T. Batsford. London. 1998 ISBN 0-7134-8266-4
Very readable account of almost 150 members of the genus, together with their hybrids and cultivars, that are more commonly grown in gardens. Excellent photographs of many of the species.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

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