Campanulaceae: a rosette-forming perennial to 1m. Found in grassland and open woods. The flowers are arranged in loose spires of outward-facing, cup-shaped, and lilac-blue. Blooming from June-August. The leaves are narrow, evergreen basal leaves. Native to Western Eurasia, and North Africa.

USES:

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They are rich in vitamin C, and have 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 flowers can have eaten raw, they have a pleasant sweetness, and a very ornamental addition to mixed salads.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds in 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.

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. 200+ SEEDS