Campanula cochleariifolia
Campanula cochleariifolia
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Campanula cochleariifolia is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating winter temperatures that can fall down to at least -10°c, perhaps lower for short periods[1]. A very easily grown plant that succeeds in most situations so long as they are not both hot and dry[2]. In nature, the plant is found in poor soils and rock crevices and, in cultivation, when introduced to the richer conditions of the garden, is apt to spread by means of seeds and a creeping rhizome - indeed some gardeners consider it a pest even though it is beautiful and long-flowering[3]. It is probably best grown in a poor soil, indeed it grows happily in pure gravel and sand[3]. It succeeds on drystone walls where it can become invasive[1]. It does especially well on the top of walls where there are cracks for it to root into[4]. Prefers a moist but well-drained sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[5, 1]. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[2]. This species is self-fertile and often self-sows in the garden[2, 3]. There are several named varieties selected for their ornamental value[1]. 'Elizabeth Oliver' has pleasantly flavoured leaves[PFAF]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].
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[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. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Campanula+cochleariifolia>
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
References
- [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [2]Campanulas - their cultivation and classification. — Crook. H. Clifford. · Country Life · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎The most comprehensive treatment of the genus yet written (2002).
- [3]Campanulas - A Gardener's Guide. — Lewis. P. & Lynch. M. · B. T. Batsford. London. · 1998 · ISBN 0-7134-8266-4 ↩︎Very readable account of almost 150 members of the genus, together with their hybrids and cultivars, that are more commonly grown in gardens. Excellent photographs of many of the species.
- [4]Gardening on Walls — Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. · Collins · 1983 · ISBN 0-00-219220-0 ↩︎A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.
- [5]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
- [6]Perennial Garden Plants — Thomas. G. S. · J. M. Dent & Sons, London. · 1990 · ISBN 0 460 86048 8 ↩︎A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎