Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Alpines => Topic started by: YakubSigm on February 22, 2015, 06:08:21 PM

Title: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: YakubSigm on February 22, 2015, 06:08:21 PM: Obviously, I am new to the forum :D

I was wondering which, if any member of Campanula and related genra can thrive with a low pH. Casual research seems to suggest that most prefer lime. Hopefully I am wrong.
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: Maggi Young on February 22, 2015, 06:22:44 PM: Welcome YakubSigm!

While it may be true that some Campanulas prefer some lime in the soil, there are some that seem quite happy in a soil that is slightly acid.

C. nitida and forma Alba
C. cochlearifolia
C. pulla ( or should that be pulloides ?)
C. carpatica
C. wockii 'Puck'
C. betulaefolia are a few I can think of which will grow in a slighty acid soil here in NE Scotland. .....
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: YakubSigm on February 22, 2015, 06:34:14 PM: Thanks!

From what I know about European climes, our climates should be similar. Rotundifolia is quite acid tolerant, too.
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: Maggi Young on February 22, 2015, 06:39:53 PM: Oh yes- I should have remembered C. rotundifolia!

Where in the USA are you?
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: YakubSigm on February 22, 2015, 06:43:13 PM: Atlantic coast, Staten Island- very coastal compared to NYC climate. Zone 7b-ish. This winter was a lot colder than it used to be...
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: Maggi Young on February 22, 2015, 07:10:42 PM: Yes, we've been seeing the weather that's been hitting you guys. Brrrrr!
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: YakubSigm on February 22, 2015, 08:48:43 PM: We can suffer together!

Thanks for your campanula suggestions. I will try to source them
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: greenspan on March 09, 2015, 05:17:20 PM: in my opinion Campanula barbata needs acid soil...i lost all my barbata plants in my garden beside one seedling, germinated accidentally in an old wooden beam (oak).
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Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: Lori S. on March 09, 2015, 10:29:41 PM: They (Campanula barbata) seem to do okay here in alkaline soil (pH 8 ). I grew them from seed in 2005 and still have the same plants.
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: Margaret on March 09, 2015, 10:42:17 PM: Campanula patula will grown in acid soil. It's a lovely thing and seeds around gently and in a pleasing fashion.
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: greenspan on March 11, 2015, 08:09:06 AM: Quote from: Lori S. on March 09, 2015, 10:29:41 PM
They (Campanula barbata) seem to do okay here in alkaline soil (pH 8 ). I grew them from seed in 2005 and still have the same plants.

hm...in the german wikipedia Campanula barbata is said to be a lime-fleeing species (sorry my english is too bad, hope you understand what i mean) and this was my experience in my garden too. even a normal humus-rich soil, of course without lime, wasn't good enough to establish this species. maybe i'll try again this nice Campanula, but then in a peaty soil mixed with a bit sand.
Title: Re: Campanula that will grow in ericaceous soil ?
Post by: YakubSigm on May 15, 2015, 07:33:11 PM: Update for everyone:
Plant World Seeds has quite a few on the list. Obviously, I am going to try them... ;)

Now to renovate my "rock garden"
Thanks for all the help!