Campanula poscharskyana

Degen.

Trailing bellflower, Poscharsky's Bellflower

Campanulaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves 8,465 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Campanula poscharskyana, the Serbian bellflower or trailing bellflower, is a semi-evergreen trailing perennial, valued for its lavender-blue star-shaped flowers. It is native to the Dinaric Alps in former Yugoslavia.

Description

A small plant. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 15-20 cm high and spreads 45-60 cm wide. The stems are erect and grow in tufts. The leaves are narrowly oval and hairy. The flowers are lavender blue or violet. They are bell shaped and star shaped. They have 5 petals. They are in loose spikes at the top of the plant.

Edible Uses

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a pleasant sweet flavour, though they are a little tough. Most useful as a winter salad ingredient when fewer alternatives are available. The flowers are produced in abundance, carry a pleasant sweet flavour, and make a decorative addition to the salad bowl.

Traditional Uses

The flowers and leaves are eaten raw in salads. The leaves and stems can be cooked and used in soups and stews.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in most soils. It is not particular about location. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Where It Grows

Australia, Balkans, Britain, Croatia, Europe*, Slovenia, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun though it also tolerates partial shade. We have seen plants doing very well on a north-west-facing wall. Plants are very drought-tolerant and can be grown on a dry stone wall, they also succeed in poor soils. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c. A rampant spreading plant, it makes an excellent ground cover but can become a nuisance if it isn't sited with care. 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. This species does not produce seed very freely in Britain, but it is very easily propagated by division. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value. The form 'E.K.Toogood' is less invasive. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation

Sow seed on the surface in a cold frame in spring; germination typically occurs in 2–4 weeks at 18°C. Once large enough to handle, prick seedlings out into individual pots and grow on in a cold frame for at least the first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Take basal cuttings in spring by harvesting shoots around 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 — the plant can be divided at almost any time of year.

Other Uses

A rampantly spreading plant, suitable for use as ground cover in a sunny position.

Notes

There are about 300 Campanula species.

Also Known As

Poscharskyeva zvončica, Serbian bellflower

References (8)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 208
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 223
Crawford, M., 2012, How to grow Perennial Vegetables. Green Books. p 78
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 321
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 58

Show all 8 references

Irving, M., 2009, The Forager Handbook, A Guide to the Edible Plants of Britain. Ebury Press p 60
Magyar Bot. Lapok. 7:103. 1908
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.pfaf.org