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Campanula rotundifolia - L.

Harebell

Author	L.	Botanical references	17, 200
Family	Campanulaceae	Genus	Campanula
Synonyms
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Northern Temperate regions of the world, including Britain, to latitude 70° N.
Habitat	Dry grassy places and on fixed dunes, often in poor shallow soils throughout most of Britain[17].
Edibility Rating	1 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.4m.

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 dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[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.

The root has been chewed in the treatment of heart and lung problems[257]. An infusion of the roots has been used as ear drops for a sore ear[257]. A decoction of the plant has been drunk or used as a wash in the treatment of sore eyes[257].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile well-drained soils[233, 271], though it prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[1, 200]. Succeeds in poor soils[17]. This species can be naturalized in finer turfs, on grassy banks and in chalk downland and heath associations[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[200]. A very variable species in the wild[271]. When established, plants can spread fairly freely and also self-sow, though they are quite easily contained by hoeing[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]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[200].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Three or four weeks pre-chilling of the seed improves the germination rate[138]. 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. The seed can also be sown outdoors in situ during the spring. 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[111]. Very easy, 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.

Links

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]).

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[111] Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.

[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.

[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.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

[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.

Campanula rotundifolia

pat Mon Jun 12 2006

I am a new grower of this plant, and am interested in all i can learn. i live in the isle of wight and they seem to be doing quite well in my garden.it might be beginners luck.

Campanula rotundifolia

Kara Huntermoon Wed Jun 3 2009

In Scotland they make a Flower Essence of this plant, which is called Scotch Bluebell in some areas. The Flower Essence is good for strength through yielding and responsiveness, humility, attunement to the earth, increasing our capacity to listen deeply, to gather our awareness. When problems of unprecedented magnitude threaten to overwhelm us, and our resistance to them makes them stronger, this plant assists us with yielding and crafting a response born of presence and attentiveness. My source for this information is Julia M. Brayshaw's Medicine of Place: Patterns of Nature and Psyche in the Wildflowers of Cascadia, Alchemia Puhlishing, Olympia, Washington, 2007.

Medicine of Place This is the site of the book from which I took this above information.

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