Adenophora stricta

Adenophora stricta belongs to the bellflower family, Campanulaceae. It is a perennial, which means it lives for years. Its common names include Sha Shen and ladybells. Its native range runs from southern China to Korea. It grows in temperate regions and on hillsides in China. It reaches about 3.3 feet (1 metre) tall. Its spread is about 1 foot (0.3 metres). The plant has an uneven or sprawling form.

Purple flowers appear in early autumn. September is the stated month for bloom. Seeds ripen in October, once the flowers have finished. Each flower has both male and female parts. Insects carry pollen to pollinate the blooms. Gardeners grow the plant for its leaves and flowers. It suits borders and planting in groups. A sunny woodland edge or planted bed offers another setting.

Choose a warm site in full sun, rather than shade. The plant prefers rich, light soil that holds some moisture. Sandy and loamy soils both suit it. It accepts soil that is mildly acid or mildly alkaline. Neutral soil suits it too. For growing, it prefers soil that is slightly alkaline. Avoid soil that becomes too dry. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 7–9. Growth can be fast where the site suits it. The same source warns it can become invasive in suitable sites. Keep this warning in mind when choosing a mixed-border site.

Roots do not cope well with disturbance. Choose the planting site with care. Put young plants in their lasting spot while still small. Splitting plants is hard because it disturbs their roots. Seeds offer another way to raise new plants. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame, or sow in spring. Use separate pots for spring seed sowing. This can reduce the need to move plants later. Seeds take one to three months to sprout at 50°F (10°C). Spring basal cuttings, taken from the base, offer another method. Slugs attack young shoots and may destroy mature plants too.

Records note food uses for cooked leaves and roots. One method boils the roots in two changes of water. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. This does not prove safety for every person or pet. Records also note past uses of the root as medicine. These include coughs and other breathing complaints. These records describe past uses, not proof that treatment helps.