Campanula latifolia 

'Giant Bellflower'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Campanulaceae: A very pretty upright perennial, similar to the Nettle-leaved Bellflower but larger, to 1m. Grows in shady woods and hedgerows. The flowers are 4-5cm long, the corolla is pale blue (sometimes white) and bell-shaped, with triangular lobes, in tall, leafy spikes, blooming from July-August. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, toothed, lower ones have winged stalks. Widespread and locally common only in central and Northern England.

USES:

The young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked. It is said to be high in vitamin C. The flowers can be eaten raw or cooked, and have a pleasant sweet taste.

Easily grown in partial to full shade, and often found on acidic soils in the wild. Self-seeds freely when happy, and can withstand drought well.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds in spring in a cold frame or greenhouse. Three or four weeks pre-chilling of the seed improves the germination rate. 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. The seed can also be sown outdoors in situ during the spring.

HARVESTED: 2023*

 
APPROX. 300+ SEEDS