Campanula latiloba
| Campanula latiloba | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Meadows | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Campanula latiloba
Propagation: Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[1]. Easy[2]. 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[3]. 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[4]. Very easy[2], 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.
Cultivation: An easily grown plant that succeeds in almost any soil[2], it prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun though it also tolerates partial shade[3][4][5]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[6].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[4].
If the plants are cut back by half after the first flush of flowering, they will usually produce a second flush[7].
The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[2]. The plants are self-fertile[2]. Plants often self-sow in British gardens[2].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[5].
This species is very closely related to C. persicifolia, differing from that species in having stalkless flowers and stiff rather thick angular stems[7]. The main difference from a gardener's viewpoint is that this species is coarser and more robust with stems that rarely blow over[7].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].
Range: Europe - Siberia.
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. Pleasantly sweet, though individual leaves are quite small. The leaves are available all year round.
Flowers - a pleasant taste and texture with a slight sweetness[K].
Usage: Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way, they form spreading clumps[5].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles, lepidoptera, self
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: C. grandis. Fisch.&C.A.Mey.
Links
References
- ↑ Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Crook, H. Campanulas: Their Cultivation and Classification. Country Life, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lewis, Margaret. Campanulas - A Gardener's Guide. B T Batsford, 1998.