The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Identification => Topic started by: Bionic on July 28, 2014, 11:55:16 am

Title: I should know what this is
Post by: Bionic on July 28, 2014, 11:55:16 am

but I don't  :(
I am trying to look up to see if I can use it for dyeing but without the name thats proving difficult.
 

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: Cheviot on July 28, 2014, 12:58:57 pm

Hi,
 Some kind of campanula, maybe?
Regards
Sue

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: Bionic on July 28, 2014, 01:34:19 pm

Yes, the flowers definitely look campanula like but its quite tall. I will have a look at images of campanula on line and see if I can see anything similar.

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: Fleecewife on July 28, 2014, 05:04:18 pm

I have a very tall campanula which is pink but otherwise the same.

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: Bionic on July 28, 2014, 07:06:21 pm

Thanks Fleecewife. Its very pretty. From a distance I thought it was Flox but up close you can see the bells

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: Louise Gaunt on July 28, 2014, 07:54:12 pm

But is it suitable as a vegetable dye?

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: Bionic on July 28, 2014, 08:34:41 pm

I haven't been able to find anything that says you can use it as a dye. I might steep some later this week and see what happens

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: HesterF on July 28, 2014, 09:51:22 pm

It looked like Lilac to me but I guess far too late in the season? If so, should be good for dying - and drinks (same as Elderflower Cordial but coloured, I believe).

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: ddangus on August 08, 2014, 04:16:24 pm

It is indeed a Campanula ( Bellflower) to be precise Campanula lactiflora. It does not have a specific  strength as a dye but assume you can get a green tint out of it.

Title: Re: I should know what this is
Post by: suziequeue on August 08, 2014, 09:34:59 pm

Quote from: HesterF on July 28, 2014, 09:51:22 pm

It looked like Lilac to me but I guess far too late in the season? If so, should be good for dying - and drinks (same as Elderflower Cordial but coloured, I believe).

Really?? That's interesting. What does it taste like?


I have sent and email to a Dutch company called Campanula.com who seem to be big Campanula growers in Holland so I shall report back what they say…… unless anybody has any experience on here of it?