Common Name: Adriatic Bellflower

General Information

Campanula garganica is a perennial plant that retains a carpet of basal leaves all year round. It typically forms low-growing clumps of spreading basal foliage from which arise erect, branching, flowering stems around 15cm tall[].
The plant is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover. The leaves and flowers are edible.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeastern Europe - southeastern Italy, western Greece.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula garganica is fairly cold hardy, able to withstand winter temperatures down to at least -15°c[].
An easily grown plant[], it succeeds in most fertile well-drained soils[], though it prefers a moist but well-drained sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[, ]. Flowers most freely when growing in full sun with a good supply of chalk or lime in the soil[]. In hot summer climates, the plant appreciates some shade from the hottest sun[]. Plants grow well in a wall so long as there is some soil for them to root into[].
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 are often short-lived, though they are easily propagated by seed or basal cuttings[, ]. They also usually self-sow freely[].
Plants can spread aggressively when growing in optimum conditions, and may need to be regularly divided to help control growth[].
There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[]. 'Dickson's Gold' has golden-green leaves with a pleasant mild flavour[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves are quite small but have a pleasant mild flavour, and make a very acceptable addition to salads[].

Flowers - raw or cooked. Slightly sweet[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

‘Dickson’s Gold’ is a low-growing, mat-forming cultivar that spreads indefinitely by prostrate to decumbent stems. It is one of several forms that can be used as a ground cover[].

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.