Bellflowers
Botanical name: Campanula
Bellflowers
Botanical name: Campanula
Description
Bellflowers are a large group of mostly-low-growing, flowering plants aptly named for their drooping, bell-shaped flowers. Though they come in many colors, they primarily bloom in shades of lavender or light blue. Bellflowers make great additions to any garden as they require little care, are cold-hardy, are deer and rabbit resistant, and have a long blooming season that lasts from spring to early fall.
Species of Bellflowers
Spotted bellflower 'Pink Octopus'
Highly unusual in nature, spotted bellflower 'Pink Octopus' is best-known for its faded pink blooms that open up to present long, tendril-like petals. This is vastly different from the parent plant, the spotted bellflower, which typically produces white bell-shaped blooms. Given the name "Pink Octopus" because of its petal formation, this plant is a worthy attribute to any garden.
Chimney bellflower
The leaves are broad ovate on the lower part of the stem, slender lanceolate on the upper part of the stem. The flowers are bell-shaped, blue, 3 to 4 cm diameter. The flowers are hermaphroditic, and the plant is self-fertile. It grows in many different soil types, and can handle a wide pH range. It prefers a sunny or partially shaded area.
Adriatic bellflower
Cultivars include 'Dickson's Gold', with gold-coloured foliage, and 'W.H. Paine', with white-centred, lilac coloured flowers. The latter has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Marsh bellflower
The marsh bellflower can be found in wet habitats and along stream banks. It carries white flowers on very long stalks that are thin and weak, so the plant often tangles within the neighboring plants, making for an interesting display. Marsh bellflower is quite similar to the blue-violet Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), but is smaller.
Yellow bellflower
Yellow bellflower is an alpine plant that is a popular ornamental plant grown in informal, rock, and gravel gardens. It is also ideally suited to city residences or courtyard setups. Yellow bellflower does not solely rely on other insects to fertilize it; it can also fertilize itself.
Spreading bellflower
Spreading bellflower (Campanula patula) is native to temperate Eurasia and naturalized elsewhere in the world. It grows well in meadows open woodlands and roadsides. From summer through fall it produces pale purple-blue flowers; the petals are more pointed and spread further apart than those of other bellflowers earning the spreading bellflower its common name.
Scheuchzer's bellflower
Scheuchzer's bellflower makes a beautiful ground cover or a nice addition to cut flower arrangements. It is often found in mountain ranges, making it ideal for rock gardens or borders. It can tolerate coastal climates quite well. It relies on bees and butterflies for pollination, and serves hummingbirds with the sweet nectar they crave.
Bellflowers 'Elizabeth'
Created by Elizabeth Strangmen in the Washfield Nursery in Kent, bellflowers 'Elizabeth' is particularly loved for its bell-shaped flowers of raspberry and white. Sitting atop upright stems, these flowers are the picture of grace. Bellflowers 'Elizabeth' are popular among gardeners in larger groups in perennial borders, rock gardens, or cottage gardens.
Tussock bellflower 'Foerster'
Tussock bellflower 'Foerster' is a diminutive but very attractive tussock bellflower with large blue-violet flowers that bloom throughout the summer, more profusely than those of the parent plant. This long bloom period makes this a great plant for ground cover, and border frontages. This hybrid is named for the celebrated German nurseryman Karl Foerster (1874-1970).
Spotted bellflower 'Viking'
Spotted bellflower 'Viking' is a small plant with attractive bell-shaped, violet flowers. In contrast, the parent plant has paler, off-white blooms. This plant enjoys full exposure to sunlight, blooming through the summer months. This plant is named after the famed Scandinavian warrior tribes of the Middle Ages.
Adria bellflower 'Birch Hybrid'
Adria bellflower 'Birch Hybrid' grows with long trailing stems that offer round dark-green leaves and lovely deep blue-violet flowers. It is a cultivar derived from cross between Campanula portenschlagiana and Campanula poscharskyana. The name comes from the Birch Farm Nursery in West Sussex, where it was first introduced. Gardeners choose it as it is more floriferous and longer blooming than other bellflowers.
Clustered bellflower 'Caroline'
Clustered bellflower 'Caroline' is a Clustered bellflower cultivar that bears clusters of upward-facing, lavender-blue flowers on tall and sturdy stems. Compared to its parent plant that has vibrant purple flowers, the flowers of this cultivar have a more delicate color. As the season progresses, they become even lighter until finally becoming pale violet or white.
Serbian bellflower 'Stella'
This Serbian bellflower cultivar was created for its hardiness, standing up well against frost. With smaller leaves and a more compact size, serbian bellflower 'Stella' does well in pots, planters, window boxes, and hanging pots and baskets. It is also appreciated for its ability to flower year after year.
Tussock bellflower 'Blaue Clips'
While most Campanula cultivars have blue or white flowers, tussock bellflower 'Blaue Clips' shows off a pretty shade of purple. This Campanula hybrid is believed to be an offspring of the ancestral plant Campanula carpatica, although this is not confirmed. The name "Blaue Clips" has not received an explanation. Nevertheless, gardeners love this one for its easy-growing nature and big, showy flowers.
Adriatic bellflower 'Dickson's Gold'
The adriatic bellflower 'Dickson's Gold' is a cultivar from the Adriatic bellflower that is unique for its foliage. This variety grows leaves that are a bright, golden yellow, shaped like hearts, and with leaves that are toothed in appearance. Its beauty and low growth make it appreciated as a ground cover plant.
Canterbury bells 'Calycanthema'
Canterbury bells 'Calycanthema' has flowers with a variety of colors, including pink, rose, and lavender. The name of this cultivar refers to its flowery calyx, or the outer shell of the bud, which is the same color as the flower, giving a skirt-like appearance to the bloom when it opens. This cultivar is used both in gardens and for cut flowers, due to its sturdy stem and attractive blooms.
Milky bellflower 'Superba'
Milky bellflower 'Superba' (Campanula lactiflora 'Superba') is a cultivar of the milky bellflower (Campanula lactiflora). "Superb" though they are, these plants are difficult to tell apart from other varieties of this species, though they are generally smaller. They produce purple flowers throughout late spring and summer and are very forgiving of soil conditions.
Peach-leaved bellflower 'Blue'
A cultivar of peach-leaved bellflower, peach-leaved bellflower 'Blue' is named for its vibrant flowers which complement its pale green leaves. Despite its name, however, the petals of peach-leaved bellflower 'Blue' actually possess purple tones that contrast with the pale blue flowers of related cultivars such as "Blue Bell". This cultivar is noted as being particularly suitable for beginner gardeners.
Peach-leaved bellflower 'Alba'
Peach-leaved bellflower 'Alba' is distinct for its white flowers. A cultivar of Campanula persicifolia, its name is the Latin word for white. Gardeners love these plants for their sturdy, 61 to 91 cm stems, their ability to self-seed, and their long-lasting beauty when cut and placed in a vase.
Bellflowers 'Percy Piper'
Bellflowers 'Percy Piper' are a large group of mostly-low-growing, flowering plants aptly named for their drooping, bell-shaped flowers. Though they come in many colors, they primarily bloom in shades of lavender or light blue. Bellflowers 'Percy Piper' make great additions to any garden as they require little care, are cold-hardy, are deer and rabbit resistant, and have a long blooming season that lasts from spring to early fall.
Wall bellflower
By forming a dense flowering mat, wall bellflower adds color to the rocky Mediterranean landscape of its native range. The violet or white bell-shaped flowers are not only pretty but also full of nectar and pollen, providing a precious food source for native bees and other pollinators.
Bluebell bellflower
Bluebell bellflower, also known as Campanula rotundifolia, is a pretty purple flower. The Campanula rotundifolia refers to mini bell, and another familiar name is harebell. Harebell was associated with witches who transformed themselves into hares, inflicting bad luck on those whose paths they crossed.
Creeping bellflower
Creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) is a perennial plant native to Europe and Siberia. Creeping bellflower grows in the wild in meadows, grassy areas, and forests and is considered an invasive species in Canada.
Serbian bellflower
The serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) is a semi-evergreen perennial flowering plant native to the Dinaric Alps which run throughout former Yugoslavia. While there are many cultivars, the cultivar Stella has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Clustered bellflower
Clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata) is a flowering plant native to Britain and Japan. The Latin name Campanula glomerata means "small bell." The cultivar Superba has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Canterbury bells
The flowers of canterbury bells (*Campanula medium*) are bell-shaped; hence, the name. It is a native Southern European plant. In floriography, a coded language communicated through flowers that dates back to Victorian times, it represents gratitude. It is one of the flowers Thomas Jefferson grew at Monticello, his homestead.
Milky bellflower 'Alba'
In contrast to the light violet flowers of its Campanula lactiflora parent, the milky bellflower 'Alba' is characterized by (and named for) pure white flowers that bloom in mid-summer. This is an attractive perennial which grows up to 80 cm tall. It has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society Award Of Garden Merit.
Milky bellflower 'Assendon Pearl'
A compact cultivar of the Milky bellflower, milky bellflower 'Assendon Pearl' produces white, star-shaped flowers and has heart-shaped foliage. It is a good variety for attracting pollinators, with the attractive flowers appearing throughout much of the summer.
Nettle-leaved bellflower
Nettle-leaved bellflower (Campanula trachelium) is a small flower found in Europe and Africa. It grows in woodlands, hedgerows, and the edges of forests. In landscaping, it is used most commonly for naturalistic borders due to its height and lovely summer blooms.
American Bellflower
American Bellflower is also known as tall bellflower because it grows anywhere from 91 to 152 cm in height. This plant is often grown as an annual, but self-seeds readily.
Italian bellflower
Italian bellflower is an evergreen perennial herb with white, blue, or lavender colored five-petaled flowers. It flourishes in well-drained sand or loam under partial shade to full sun. It is a great decorative plant when grown in hanging baskets and placed in patios or cottage gardens. This plant is pollinated by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Rampion
Rampion (Campanula rapunculus) also goes by names like rapunzel and rover bellflower. The Brothers Grim tale, Rapunzel, actually takes its name from this biennial herb. It grows in Eurasia and northern Africa in dry meadows and forests. The root and leaves are commonly used in a similar manner to radishes and spinach, respectively.
Small bonny bellflower
Small bonny bellflower (Campanula divaricata) is a perennial flowering plant that is only found in the eastern United States, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. It blooms in late summer and produces small, blue flowers. The plant does well in dry, acidic soils and can be found growing on rocky outcrops
Giant bellflower
Giant bellflower (Campanula latifolia) is a popular ornamental species for its low-maintenance needs and attractive summer-blooming purple flowers. This plant has a reputation as a garden thug since its strong growth can overrun less vigorous plants. Despite this, it is a tall plant that goes very well at the back of borders or grown in mass plantings.
Spotted bellflower
Spotted bellflower (Campanula punctata) is a clump-forming perennial can grow to be 30 to 61 cm tall and 30 to 76 cm wide. Spotted bellflower grows best in full sunlight in moist soil. This species is considered easy to grow and produces an abundance of flowers. It attracts hummingbirds and is often cultivated in rock gardens.
Peach-leaved bellflower
Peach-leaved bellflower (Campanula persicifolia) is an evergreen clump-forming perennial that will grow to 91 cm tall. It blooms in summer with bell-shaped flowers that range in color from shades of violet blue to white. Thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers medium-moist well-drained soil. Deadhead after blooming to encourage new flowers.
Canterbury bells 'Champion Pink'
This cultivar's bunches of bright-pink flowers, dark-green foliage, and quick growth set it apart from other canterbury bells. Cultivated as a hybrid of other bell varieties, canterbury bells 'Champion Pink' was named literally after its profuse numbers of rose-pink blossoms. Canterbury bells 'Champion Pink' is loved for its ornamental value, appeal to pollinators, and ease of care.
Campanula glomerata subsp. speciosa
Campanula glomerata subsp. speciosa are a large group of mostly-low-growing, flowering plants aptly named for their drooping, bell-shaped flowers. Though they come in many colors, they primarily bloom in shades of lavender or light blue. Campanula glomerata subsp. speciosa make great additions to any garden as they require little care, are cold-hardy, are deer and rabbit resistant, and have a long blooming season that lasts from spring to early fall.
Tussock bellflower 'White Clips'
Tussock bellflower 'White Clips' is a Tussock bellflower cultivar, selected to have pure white flowers, unlike its parent plant, whose flowers are purple. The cultivar is also known as being slightly taller than the origin species. It's a popular choice for garden beds or rock gardens.
Adriatic bellflower 'W.H. Paine'
Adriatic bellflower 'W.H. Paine' forms a sea of vibrant periwinkle blue flowers with a contrasting white eye; their appearance steals the show when next to other plants of genus Campanula. This plant is a Campanula hybrid, although the exact genealogy is unclear. Its namesake ("W. H. Paine") remains a mystery, with no explanation of who this is or why the plant was named after them.
Spotted bellflower 'Summertime Blues'
Spotted bellflower 'Summertime Blues' is a perennial flowering plant and is a cultivar of Spotted bellflower. It is named for its unusual nodding lavender-blue and violet-blue flowers that bloom from late spring to late summer. The plant is popular with gardeners for its longer blooming time and low maintenance requirements.
Bellflowers 'Alba'
Where most bellflowers have blue or purple flowers, bellflowers 'Alba' has brilliant white flowers. 'Alba', means 'white' in Latin, so these flowers are how this hybrid gets its name. This delicate hybrid grows to just 20 cm, in comparison to the 60 cm of native varieties. This plant blooms profusely in summer and is ideal for cottage gardens, rock gardens and containers, making it a gardener's favorite.
Tussock bellflower 'Jewel'
For tussock bellflower 'Jewel', the vibrance of its blooms is its distinctive quality. The traditional tussock bellflower, this plant's ancestor, demonstrates a lighter shade of blue. Given the name "Jewel" because of the admiration it receives within the world of horticulture, tussock bellflower 'Jewel' really is a plant that has it all.
Clustered bellflower 'Schneekrone'
Clustered bellflower 'Schneekrone' grows white bell-shaped flowers throughout early and midsummer. This cultivar is unique because most Clustered bellflowers have blue or purple flowers and the Alba varieties (white-flowered varieties) usually bloom earlier in the year (late spring). 'Schneekrone' means "crown of snow" in German and refers to this cultivar's lovely blooms.
Spotted bellflower 'Cherry Bells'
With a profusion of cherry-colored bells that droop toward the ground, spotted bellflower 'Cherry Bells' is easy on the eyes and highly individual. Spotted bellflower 'Cherry Bells' differs from its suspected parent plant (Campanula punctata) in its color, showing off a much richer, darker hue in its blooms. It got the name "Cherry Bells" to represent the appearance of the plant's flowers.
Milky bellflower 'Prichard's Variety'
Milky bellflower 'Prichard's Variety' is a milky bellflower cultivar bred to have one of the darkest and most vibrant blue blooms seen among all bellflowers. They will attract butterflies and bees to any garden. The cultivar grows in many different kinds of soil as well as gardens with different amounts of shade and sun.
Bellflowers 'Burghaltii'
Bellflowers 'Burghaltii' is a Royal Horticultural Society award-winning cultivar of Campanula punctata and Campanula latifolia. This hybrid has exceptionally large bell-shaped flowers of an intriguing pale purple-gray color.
Bellflowers 'Sarastro'
Bellflowers 'Sarastro' is a striking flower with deep violet-purple bell-shaped blooms. It is named after the nursery in Austria where it was first grown, after crossing the Campanula punctata and Campanula tracheli. This variety is unique because the genus usually sports blooms that are blue or lighter purple.
Tussock bellflower 'Deep Blue Clips'
Tussock bellflower 'Deep Blue Clips' offers dense clusters of bell-shaped blue flowers that bloom through the summer. It is a cultivar of Campanula carpatica named for the deep blue color of the blooms. It it sometimes called Blaue Clips, from the German word for blue. Gardeners favor these cultivars as they are easily grown from seed, are suitable for winter sowing, and are rabbit-tolerant.
Bellflowers 'Highcliffe Variety'
Bellflowers 'Highcliffe Variety' graces the garden with an abundance of purple flowers in late spring through early summer. This bellflower variant is extremely hardy and has won the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its reliability. Gardeners should beware of slugs and snails, which will happily eat this plant.
Peach-leaved bellflower 'Takion Blue'
This attractive Bellflower has an abundance of violet-blue flowers that contrast with the white blooms typical of its parent plant. Peach-leaved bellflower 'Takion Blue' flowers are of particular note due to their pronounced trumpet shape and brilliant white stamens. This plant is relatively disease and pest-resistant and is a resilient garden performer noted for being simple to grow.
Bellflowers 'Alba'
Bellflowers 'Alba' are a large group of mostly-low-growing, flowering plants aptly named for their drooping, bell-shaped flowers. Though they come in many colors, they primarily bloom in shades of lavender or light blue. Bellflowers 'Alba' make great additions to any garden as they require little care, are cold-hardy, are deer and rabbit resistant, and have a long blooming season that lasts from spring to early fall.
Bellflowers 'Beautiful Trust'
Bellflowers 'Beautiful Trust' is a notable bellflower because its flowers don’t resemble bells. Instead of the classic bell shape, these flowers have long and widely splayed white petals. This unusual morphology makes this easy-to-grow, low-care plant an excellent garden conversation piece, as it thrives in beds and borders. This cultivar was named bellflowers 'Beautiful Trust' by Song Kihun, curator of Chollipo Arboretum in South Korea, after his daughter.
Clustered bellflower 'Superba'
Clustered bellflower 'Superba' are a large group of mostly-low-growing, flowering plants aptly named for their drooping, bell-shaped flowers. Though they come in many colors, they primarily bloom in shades of lavender or light blue. Clustered bellflower 'Superba' make great additions to any garden as they require little care, are cold-hardy, are deer and rabbit resistant, and have a long blooming season that lasts from spring to early fall.
Tussock bellflower 'Weisse Clips'
The cultivar name of the tussock bellflower 'Weisse Clips' translates as 'white clips' and refers to its attractive white flowers which grow in an inverted bell shape. The flower yield of this hybrid is particularly high, making it a garden favorite that is straightforward to grow with good disease and pest resistance.
Milky bellflower
Milky bellflower are common flowers for garden beds, especially in their native regions in Europe. Its species name comes from the Latin "with milk-white flowers," which describes the blooms that can range in color from white to soft purple.
Dane's-blood bellflower
Perennial plant up to 60 cm, short pubescent, with angular stems, usually simple. Oval-lanceolate leaves with obtuse teeth. Those of the base are petiolate and heart-shaped. Those of the stem, sitting, semiabrazadoras and more narrow. Vivid blue flowers, set in terminal clusters or clustered in the axils of the upper leaves, surrounded by an involucre of bracts.
Tussock bellflower
The tussock bellflower is a compact plant with prolific upward-facing bell-shaped blooms. Dead-heading keeps these beauties blooming all season long. They grow easily in rock gardens, as ground cover, and in flower beds. They are easy to grow, resistant to rabbits, and thrive in full sun to part shade.
Scientific Classification
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