Common Name: Milky Bellflower

General Information

Campanula lactiflora is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of stems up to 150cm tall from a rhizomatous rootstock[].
The plant is often grown as an ornamental in gardens. The flowers and leaves are edible.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

W. Asia - northeastern Turkey, the Caucasus, northwest Iran

Habitat

Upper forest and subalpine mountain zones, penetrating the formations of tall herbaceous vegetation[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula lactiflora is fairly cold hardy, able to withstand winter temperatures down to at least -15°c[].
Succeeds in most fertile well-drained soils[], though it prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[, ]. Appreciates part day shade when growing in areas with hot summers[]. A very tolerant plant, thriving even when growing in unkempt grassy areas[].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[]. Plants tend to be top-heavy and will need supports in windy gardens[].
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[]. Although usually freely set, it is quite difficult to harvest the seed since it is readily dispersed by the plant as soon as it ripens[]. The plant often self-sows in the garden and, if potted up whilst small, the seedlings usually transplant fairly well[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour with a pleasant sweetness[].

Flowers - raw. A decorative and tasty addition to salads[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, otherwise surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. Easy[]. Plants, especially as they grow, resent root disturbance so, as soon as they are large enough to handle the seedlings should be pricked out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. It is generally better to grow the plants on in larger pots than average in order to ensure good root development[]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Basal cuttings in spring. 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. Another report says that it is difficult to divide the thick tenacious roots of mature plants, and that they resent the disturbance[].