Common Name: Cornish Bellflower

General Information

Campanula alliariifolia is an erect to ascending, herbaceous, perennial plant producing a cluster of branched or unbranched stems up to 70cm tall from a thick rootstock[, ]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is often grown as an ornamental, where it makes a good ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

W. Asia - northern Turkey, Caucasus

Habitat

Open scrub and conifer forests, occasionally on cliffs but frequently on steep banks[]. Naturalized on banks and rough ground, especially by railways, in southern England.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula alliariifolia is fairly hardy-hardy, tolerating winter temperatures falling to at least -15°c[].
Succeeds in any well-drained fertile soil[], but prefers a moist well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun, though it also tolerates partial shade[, , ]. When grown in exposed and windy positions, plants tend to grow better when in a poor soil[].
If the plant is cut back as the flowers fade, it will usually produce a second flush of flowers later in the season[].
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 tends to produce seed abundantly in cultivation and will often self-sow[, ].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[]. The leaves are rather hairy and, especially as they age, have a slightly unpleasant bitterness. They are acceptable as a minor ingredient in mixed salads, but are generally less than pleasant to eat on their own[].

Flowers - a pleasant taste and texture with a slight sweetness[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way, they form spreading clumps[].
This species can be used to naturalize in the wild garden or in dappled shade in a woodland garden[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[]. 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[]. The plant has a thick fleshy root with a number of crowns. Whilst this can be divided if great care is taken not to damage the root, it is not really recommended because the divisions take a long time to become established[].