Campanulas are a diverse group of plants, including small, creeping species and towering perennials (meaning they come back each year). All have beautiful, usually blue, flowers, and most are attractive to pollinators.
Campanulas are part of the Campanulaceae family, which also includes lobelias, isotomas and platycodon. Many can take a good degree of shade, so are suitable for dark corners or small gardens overlooked by walls and fences.
In gardens, you’re likely to have come across small, spreading campanulas such as Campanula poscharskyana and Campanula portenschlagiana, which are often found growing in the crevices of walls and paving stones.
How to grow campanulas
Most campanulas grow naturally on chalky grasslands and woodland edges, which is great news if you’re gardening on an alkaline soil. Campanulas require moist but free-draining soil – they tend to suffer in winter wet. Some thrive in sun while others tolerate shade.
Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering. Taller species can be cut back in autumn.
More on growing campanulas:
Read on for our pick of the best campanulas to grow.
Campanula rotundifolia
Campanula rotundifolia is a creeping perennial species that thrives on dry, nutrient-poor soils, which in the UK includes chalky grasslands. It flowers from around midsummer to early autumn and is often visited by pollinating insects. Grow in sun or partial shade.
Height x Spread: 30cm x 30cm
Campanula portenschlagiana
Perfect for sunny or partially shaded, free-draining spots in the garden, Campanula portenschlagiana is a mat-forming perennial campanula that requires little attention. It looks particularly attractive growing in rock gardens or cascading over garden walls.
H x S: 15cm x 50cm
Campanula glomerata
Campanula glomerata is suited to relaxed herbaceous borders or cottage garden schemes, adding bursts of colour with its clusters of brightly coloured flowers. You can also pick from a range of beautiful cultivars with pink or white flowers. Grow in moist, free-draining soil in full sun or partial shade.
H x S: 50cm x 1m
Campanula latifolia
Commonly known as the giant bellflower, the spectacular species Campanula latifolia reaches a height of 1.2m, and looks perfect in partially shaded borders growing alongside ferns and other woodland perennials. Pictured is the variety ‘Alba’, which has white flowers, rather than the usual mid-purple flowers.
H x S: 1m x 60cm
Campanula persicifolia
The fairy bellflower, Campanula persicifolia, is an old-fashioned cottage garden perennial with showy, bell-shaped flowers held on dainty stems. A sheltered spot is best, in full sun or partial shade and moist, free-draining soil.
H x S: 1m x 50cm
Campanula lactiflora
Campanula lactiflora is a particularly floriferous, clump-forming campanula with large heads of clustered flowers in summer. ‘Prichard’s Variety’ (pictured) is a popular variety with pale, violet-blue flowers. Plant it in full sun or partial shade in moist, free-draining soil.
H x S: 1m x 50cm
Campanula poscharskyana
Like Campanula portenschlagiana, the trailing bellflower, Campanula poscharskyana, is a mat-forming species and well-suited to growing in the small crevices between paving tiles, bricks and stones. It’s a fabulous, low-maintenance plant that will provide masses of colourful flowers from summer right through to the end of autumn – even longer in sheltered, urban locations. Grow in full sun or partial shade.
H x S: 15cm x 50cm
Campanula ‘Sarastro’
One of several campanula hybrids, ‘Sarastro’ is a hybrid of Campanula punctata and Campanula trachelium, with beautiful midnight-blue flowers held on tall stems. Even more dramatic is the variety ‘Pink Octopus’, which has pink, split flowers. Grow Campanula ‘Sarastro’ in full sun or partial shade, in moist, free-draining soil.
H x S: 70cm x 50cm
Campanula pyramidalis
This tall, erect species is a short-lived perennial or biennial. Best grown from seed each year, Campanula pyramidalis thrives in moist, free-draining soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. A great choice for dramatic cut flowers.
H x S: 2m x 60cm
Campanula carpatica
Campanula carpatica is one of the most popular and easily grown alpine campanula species, having very large, wide, open flowers. Most varieties have white or blue flowers, borne from early to late summer.
H x S: 20cm x 60cm
Advice on buying campanulas
- Campanulas range considerably in height and spread – check carefully that you’re buying the right one for the growing spot you have in mind
- Always choose plants from a reputable supplier
- Before planting, check plants for signs of pests and diseases
Where to buy campanulas
from BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://ift.tt/XR472DL
