Common Name: Chimney Bellflower

General Information

Campanula pyramidalis is a short-lived perennial plant, usually retaining a basal rosette of leaves in the winter. In the summer it sends up a single, strongly erect, flowering stem (occasionally there may be several stems) up to 150cm tall[].
Often grown in gardens as an ornamental, the flowers and leaves are a very tasty addition to salads.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Europe - northeastern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania

Habitat

Naturalized on walls in southern England and the Channel Islands.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula pyramidalis is not very hardy in the colder regions of the temperate zone, it tolerates temperatures falling for short periods down to between -5 and -10°c[].
Succeeds in most fertile well-drained soils[], though it prefers a moist but very well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil[, ]. Plants are impatient of drought and of too much sunshine, growing best in a shady position[, ].
When growing in optimum conditions, the plants usually set seed freely and will often self-sow in the garden[].
The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[]. This species is self-fertile[].
A short-lived perennial[], in the garden it is best grown from seed as a biennial or propagated each year from the non-flowering side rosettes[]. The woody roots will usually persist for some years so long as the plant is in a well-drained soil and a sunny position[].
Except in the most sheltered of positions, the tall flowering stems require staking in order to stop them snapping at the base in high winds[].
This species is closely related to Campanula versicolor.
There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[]. The cultivar 'Alba' is used as an altar flower in its native regions, this cultivar demands an especially well-drained soil and is less hardy than the type[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. A mild slightly sweet flavour[].

Flowers - raw. A nice decorative addition to salads, the flowers have a pleasant sweet flavour[].

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. It is best to sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse in order to give the plant a long season of growth, otherwise sow it in late winter[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
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[].