Campanula latiloba

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

Campanula latiloba is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.9

Where it is found

Not known

Europe - Siberia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Leaves - raw or cooked. 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.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

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

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

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.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. Easy. 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. 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. 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Ground Cover; Meadow;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. grandis. Fisch.&C.A.Mey.