Common Name: Harebell

General Information

Campanula persicifolia 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 harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It has in the past been cultivated as a salad plant, and is widely grown in gardens as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Eurasia - Norway to Spain, east to the Caucasus, western Siberia, Kazakhstan and Turkey

Habitat

Meadows, forest clearings[]. Commons and open woods[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula persicifolia is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating winter temperatures down to at least -20°c[].
Easily grown in ordinary garden soil[]. Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[, ]. Succeeds in light woodland[]. Plants appreciate part-day shade when growing in hot summer areas[].
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 very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[]. It was at one time grown as a culinary vegetable, but is now only grown as an ornamental plant[].
The sub-species Campanula persicifolia crystalocalyx has larger leaves than the species and so is more suitable as a food crop[].
A very long-lived and easily grown plant[], it is best divided every other year[]. Slugs are very fond of this plant and can cause severe damage even to large plants[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].
This plant is a potential winter salad plant, it retains a basal rosette of leaves all winter[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. Rich in vitamin C[]. A mild flavour, it is nice in salads and is liked by most people who try it[]. The plant forms over-wintering basal rosettes of leaves and thus provides a source of fresh leaves throughout the winter[]. The main problem with these leaves is that they are very narrow and it takes quite a lot of picking in order to obtain a reasonable quantity[].

Root - raw[].

Flowers - raw. A pleasant sweetness, and a very ornamental addition to mixed salads[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants will often naturalize when grown in an open woodland[].

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[], 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.