Common Name: Adriatic Bellflower

General Information

Campanula portenschlagiana is a low-growing, evergreen perennial plant, spreading freely by rhizomes to form a dense mat of growth 8 - 15cm tall[].
Often grown as an ornamental, where it makes an effective ground cover, the leaves and flowers are edible.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Europe - Croatia, Bosnia Hercegovina, Montenegro

Habitat

Naturalized on walls and rocky banks in central and southern England.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula portenschlagiana is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating winter temperatures down to at least -15°c[].
Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil preferring full sun but also succeeding in partial shade[, , ]. This species prefers a slightly shaded position, especially when growing in hot-summer climates[]. Plants can be grown on a dry stone wall[] and also succeed in poor soils[].
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[].
A rampant plant, capable of spreading widely when in suitable conditions by means of both underground roots and long stems above ground [, ]. It makes a good ground cover but can become a nuisance if it is not sited with care[]. It is, however, fairly easy to control by simply pulling up any parts of the plant that wander too far[]. There are several 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 small, but they are produced all year round[]. They have a mild flavour and make an acceptable ingredient in mixed salads, especially in the winter, but we find that, eaten in quantity, they become a bit unpleasant[].

Flowers - raw. Very freely produced, they have a pleasant flavour and make a very decorative addition to salads[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A rampantly spreading, low-growing plant, suitable for ground cover in a sunny position[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 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[]. Very easy, the plant can be divided at almost any time of the year[].