This species is not universally accepted. It is treated as a synonym of Campanula garganica Ten., in The Euro+Med PlantBase (http://www.emplantbase.org/).

Common Name: Trailing Bellflower

General Information

Campanula poscharskyana is a low-growing, evergreen perennial plant, spreading freely by prostrate stems to form a dense mat of growth 8 - 15cm tall, exceptionally to 30cm[].
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, 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 poscharskyana is a very cold-hardy species, tolerating winter temperatures falling to at least -20°c[].
Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun though it also tolerates partial shade[, , ]. We have seen plants doing very well on a north-west-facing wall[]. Plants are very drought-tolerant and can be grown on a dry stone wall[], they also succeed in poor soils[].
A rampant spreading plant[], it makes an excellent ground cover but can become a nuisance if it isn't sited with care[]. It is generally easily controlled, however, since stems can be easily trimmed to control growth[].
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[]. This species does not produce seed very freely in Britain, but it is very easily propagated by division[].
There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[]. The form 'E.K.Toogood' is less invasive[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[]. A pleasant sweet flavour but the leaves are a little tough[]. It makes a very addition to mixed salads in the winter, though we tend not to eat it much at other times of the year when there are more leaves available[].

Flowers - raw. Produced in abundance, they have a pleasant sweet flavour and make a decorative addition to the salad bowl[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A rampantly spreading 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[].