Family:  Bellflower (Campanulaceae)

Biennial hardy to Zones 4 to 8

(Rampion) Native to Europe, the plant is soft-leaved and edible in the first year, making a crunchily delicious taproot, as well.  In the second year, the plant flowers to 3 feet, with showy lavender bell-shaped blossoms.  This self-fertile lovely goes readily to seed and will self-seed in the right conditions.  The leaves are soft, sweet and good to eat. The root is white, crunchy and tastes like a very mild radish.  In all, the plant has a wild taste, similar I would say to the taste of arugala.   In the fairytale, Rapunzel’s mother hankered for the root of this plant.  In other renderings, the plant is considered to be something of a peephole between the worlds of normalcy and phantasm.  The plant prefers rich, moist sandy loam of open garden or meadow and does best when partially shaded.  Seeds are very tiny.  Sprinkle on surface of soil, press in securely and keep warm and evenly moist until germination, which takes about a week.  Space plants 6 inches apart.

50 seeds per packet, Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s