Common Name: Clustered Bellflower

General Information

Campanula glomerata is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a dense cluster of growth from a thick, partly woody rhizome. The rather thick to relatively thin, usually unbranched stems stems can be 15 - 50cm tall[, ].
The plant is often grown as an ornamental in gardens. Its flowers and leaves can be eaten.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eurasia - Sweden to Britain and Spain, east through Russia and Greece to Iran, central Asia, the Russian Far East, China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Grassy places on calcareous soils, particularly in chalk grassland, less commonly on sea-cliffs or in woods[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula glomerata is fairly cold hardy, able to withstand winter temperatures down to at least -15°c[].
Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[, ]. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade[]. In hot summer climates the plant benefits from some shade at the hottest time of the day[].
A very ornamental plant, there are several named forms[]. This is a very vigorous species and can be invasive, spreading by means of its creeping rootstock, when well suited to its site[].
Divide clumps in the autumn every 3 - 5 years in order to maintain vigour and/or to control its spread[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour with a pleasant sweetness, it can be used as a major ingredient in salads[].

Flowers - raw[]. Beautiful to look at, they have a pleasant sweetness and make a very attractive decoration to a salad[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. Very 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. Very easy[]. 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.