Harebell - Campanula rotundifolia
Irish name - Méaracán gorm
Bellflower family - Campanulaceae
Harebell is a perennial plant with pretty blue/violet flowers found growing in Northern Ireland’s less fertile grassland and is seen right across Northern Europe. It is very common in Co. Antrim and was named by Plantlife in 2004 as the official flower of this county. This papery blue flower which grows in clumps has many names. It is called Harebell due to the folk belief that witches used juices squeezed from the flower to turn themselves into hares. It is also known as Goblin’s, witches’ or Puck’s thimble and was traditionally linked to fairies, witches and the devil and ‘should be picked at your peril’. In Scotland it is commonly known as the Scottish Bluebell as it is so widespread, although it is equally abundant across England.
Harebell is a slender, hairless perennial herb often found in very hardy environments such as rock ledges and sand dunes although thrives in full sun. It is a rhizomatous herb and is capable of self-fertilisation, as it is hermaphrodite. The basal leaves of the Harebell are very round in shape, hence the name ‘rotundifolia‘ but further up the stem the leaves become much thinner and longer.
It produces small (approx. 15mm), bell shaped flowers at the end of a long thin stalk. Flowers usually occur singly and have very little scent. Despite this they attract many insects such as butterflies and bees which promote cross-pollination. The Ingrailed Clay moth depends on Harebell as a larval food plant. Harebell seed are extremely small and dispersed by wind.
Harebell leaves can be eaten raw in a salad and the plant is known to have beneficial properties. These include a remedy for earache that can be made from the roots and a wash for the treatment of sore eyes. Other conditions Harebell is said to cure include depression and if the root is chewed, it may help to treat heart and lung complaints. A professional herbalist should always be consulted to make an exact diagnosis and to recommend correct usage.
Propagation
From seed
Harebell seed ripens from August to October. As the seed is so small it should be collected carefully. Harebell seed can be hard to germinate although the germination rate can be improved by pre-chilling the seed for three-four weeks before sowing. For best results it should be sown directly onto light, well drained, soil surface during autumn or spring and left in a cold frame until they have germinated and grown until they are large enough to handle. At this stage prick out the seedlings and pot up individually. Keep the potted seedlings in the cold frame for the first winter and plant out after the last frost in late spring.
By division
Clumps of Harebell can be easily divided in either autumn or spring. Large clumps can be planted directly out in their new positions. Smaller clumps will benefit from being potted up and placed in a cold frame until late spring when they can be planted out.
Harebell can also be propagated by taking basal cuttings. New shoots should be collected when they are arround 10-15cm in length. The whole stem should be removed including the portion underground. Each stem should be potted up in an individual pot and kept in a cold frame until they have rooted well. Plants should again be planted out in late spring to avoid frost damage.
The following grow in similar habitats (alphabetical by common name)
- Bird's-foot-trefoil
- Bladder Campion
- Common Dog Violet
- Cuckooflower
- Devil's-bit Scabious
- Field Scabious
- Goat's-beard
- Knapweed
- Lady's Bedstraw
- Meadowsweet
- Ox-eye Daisy
- Primrose
- Self-heal
- Teasel
- Yarrow
Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Environment & Heritage Service too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).