Campanula poscharskyana
Campanula poscharskyana
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Campanula poscharskyana is a very cold-hardy species, tolerating winter temperatures falling to at least -20°c[1]. Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun though it also tolerates partial shade[2, 1, 3]. We have seen plants doing very well on a north-west-facing wall[PFAF]. Plants are very drought-tolerant and can be grown on a dry stone wall[1], they also succeed in poor soils[4]. A rampant spreading plant[5], it makes an excellent ground cover but can become a nuisance if it isn't sited with care[1]. It is generally easily controlled, however, since stems can be easily trimmed to control growth[6]. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[4]. The plants are self-fertile[4]. This species does not produce seed very freely in Britain, but it is very easily propagated by division[4]. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[1]. The form 'E.K.Toogood' is less invasive[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8].
Propagation
Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[9]. 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[2]. 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[1]. Very easy, the plant can be divided at almost any time of the year[4]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Campanula+poscharskyana>
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]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 ]).
- [3]Plants for Ground Cover — Thomas. G. S. · J. M. Dent & Sons · 1990 · ISBN 0-460-12609-1 ↩︎An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
- [4]Campanulas - their cultivation and classification. — Crook. H. Clifford. · Country Life · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎The most comprehensive treatment of the genus yet written (2002).
- [5]The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers — Brickell. C. · Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. · 1990 · ISBN 0-86318-386-7 ↩︎Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
- [6]KemperCentreForHomeGardeningPlantFinder — Missouri Botanical Garden · http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/ ↩︎Basic cultivation details, plant uses, habitat etc for several thousand species of plants, mainly from the temperate zone.
- [7]Ground Cover Plants. — Royal Horticultural Society. · Cassells. · 1989 · ISBN 0-304-31089-1 ↩︎A handy little booklet from the R.H.S.
- [8]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.
- [9]Growing from Seed. Volume 3. — Bird. R. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1989 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎