Campanula alliariifolia 

'Cornish Bellflower'

Campanulaceae: a vigorous, clump-forming perennial to 70cm. Found in open scrub and conifer forests, occasionally on cliffs but frequently on steep banks. The flowers are tubular-bell shaped, and white, which are 2cm. long with pointed petals. Blooming from July-September. The leaves are heart-shaped, toothed, grey hairy basal, and 10cm long. Native to Caucasus, and Asia Minor. Naturalised in Britain, in Cornwall.

USES:

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are rather hairy and, especially as they age, have a slightly unpleasant bitterness. They are acceptable as a minor ingredient in a mixed salad. The flowers have a pleasant taste and texture with a slight sweetness.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 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.

Succeeds in any well-drained fertile soil, but prefers a moist well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun, though it also tolerates partial shade. If the plant is cut back as the flowers fade, it will usually produce a second flush of flowers later in the season. The species in this genus do not often hybridise and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true, and they are self-fertile.

HARVESTED: 2023*

 
APPROX. 100+ SEEDS