This species is very closely related to Campanula persicifolia, differing from that species in having stalkless flowers and stiff rather thick angular stems[].
The name of this species is not universally accepted. It has been pointed out by Thomas G. Lammers 'A New Lobelia from Mexico, with Additional New Combinations in World Campanulaceae'; Novon 9: 385 (1999) that the name Campanula grandis Fisch. & C.A.Mey., was applied to this species some months before the name Campanula latiloba A.DC., was published. Although Campanula grandis has been accepted in the Kew Database 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families' (http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/home.do), most other places we have checked, including the GRIN database (https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/default.aspx) and The Euro+Med PlantBase (http://www.emplantbase.org/) are still using the name Campanula latiloba, a treatment we are following here at present[].

Common Name:

General Information

Campanula latiloba is a perennial plant spreading at the roots to form a cluster of rosettes of narrow, bright green leaves 10 - 20cm long. In mild winter areas these leaves remain green all winter, in colder regions they die down and resprout in the spring. Erect, mainly unbranched, flowering stems 50 - 90cm tall develop from each rosette in late spring and summer[, ].
The plant is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover. The flowers and leaves are edible.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

W. Asia - Turkey

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.90 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula latiloba is very cold-hardy, able to tolerate winter temperatures falling to at least -20°c[].
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[].
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[].
The main difference between this species and Campanula persicifolia, 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[].

Edible Uses

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[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

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

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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.