Campanula latiloba
A. DC.
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary
Source: WikipediaEvergreen perennial reaching 0.9 m tall and 0.5 m wide at medium growth rate. Maintains foliage year-round with flowers blooming July to September. Hermaphroditic, self-fertile flowers pollinated by bees, flies, beetles, and lepidopterans. Prefers light sandy to medium loamy, well-drained soils with neutral to mildly alkaline pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil. Hardy to UK zone 3.
Description
A clumping herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 90 cm high and spreads 45 cm wide. It has a ring of leaves near the base. They are narrow and pointed. The flowers are cup shaped. They are deep blue and occur in open spikes.
Edible Uses
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and are pleasantly sweet, though individual leaves are quite small. They are available year-round. The flowers have a pleasant taste and texture with a slight sweetness.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It suits hardiness zones 4-9.
Where It Grows
Australia, Europe, Siberia, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye,
Cultivation
An easily grown plant that succeeds in almost any soil, 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. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c. If the plants are cut back by half after the first flush of flowering, they will usually produce a second flush. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true. The plants are self-fertile. Plants often self-sow in British gardens. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value. This species is very closely related to C. persicifolia, differing from that species in having stalkless flowers and stiff rather thick angular stems. The main difference from a gardener's viewpoint is that this species is coarser and more robust with stems that rarely blow over. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagation
Surface sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Germination typically takes 2–4 weeks at 18°C and is generally easy. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame for at least their first winter, then plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. For basal cuttings in spring, harvest shoots when they are about 10–15cm long with plenty of underground stem, pot individually, and keep in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until rooting well, then plant out in summer. Division in spring or autumn is very easy; larger clumps can be replanted directly into permanent positions, while smaller clumps are better potted up in a cold frame until well rooted, then planted out in summer or the following spring.
Other Uses
Plants can be used as ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way, forming spreading clumps.
Notes
There are about 300 Campanula species.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 320
- A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 7:478. 1839
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 58
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
