The old bridal adage “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” perfectly describes the lovely Bellflower. Belonging to the massive Campanula genus, which comprises nearly 300 species of mostly herbaceous perennials, these stunning plants offer gardeners that much-sought-after, elusive true blue hue.
Campanulas have been thriving in the Northern Hemisphere for a very long time; in fact, a few species are considered ancient relics from the pre-Ice Age era. Because North America has relatively few native bellflowers, the majority of the spectacular varieties we grow in our gardens are “borrowed” from Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Near East. Whether you are looking for a towering border plant or a tiny alpine crawler, here is everything you need to know about growing and caring for bellflowers.
Understanding Bellflower Characteristics
While famous for their blues, Campanulas actually come in a wide spectrum of colors: white, lavender, purple, pink, rose, maroon, and even rare yellow forms. Depending on the species, the plants can range in size from a tiny 1-inch creeping mat to towering 6-foot-tall spikes.
Their environmental preferences are just as diverse. Some species thrive in hot, rocky, dry crevices, while others revel in cool, damp woodlands. However, the vast majority relish good, loamy garden soil in full sun or partial shade with regular moisture. While few fare well in the extreme heat of the Deep South, many varieties are incredibly cold-hardy, surviving effortlessly in USDA Zones 3 and 4.
Most of the taller Campanula types make absolutely excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements. However, when you cut the stems, they ooze a milky white sap that can foul the vase water and cause the flowers to wilt prematurely. To prevent this, immediately sear the cut ends with a flame or dip them quickly into boiling hot water to seal the stems before placing them in your vase!
Top Campanula Types for Your Garden
Taller Border Favorites
In regions with hot summers, providing these taller varieties with afternoon shade or light dappled sunlight works best.
- Clustered Bellflower (C. glomerata): Hardy in Zones 3 to 8, this is the sturdiest of the bunch. Stiff, leafy stems give rise to upward-facing heads of pointed, purple, or white bell-shaped flowers in early summer.
- Peach-Leaf Bellflower (C. persicifolia): A popular favorite that produces large, outward-facing powder blue or white flowers on dainty 15- to 30-inch stems. If carefully deadheaded, it will bloom well into autumn.
- Milky Bellflower (C. lactiflora): Taking the top prize for sheer flower power, this 3- to 6-foot moisture-loving beauty sends up huge trusses of starry bells in late summer. It self-sows lustily.
Woodland and Shade Varieties
If you have a shady woodland garden, two spreading Asian bellflowers offer plump, elongated bells (usually with beautiful maroon flecks inside). C. punctata grows to about 12 to 15 inches, while C. takesimana is taller at 18 to 24 inches. From the southern Appalachians, the native American Bellflower (C. divaricata) provides a much-needed note of pale blue color to dry shade gardens in late summer.
Smaller Alpine and Rock Garden Bellflowers
Low-growing, cascading, or mat-forming campanulas make perfect sense for rock gardeners and those with poor, dry soils. They are generally more tolerant of warm nights.
- Carpathian Harebell (C. carpatica): Forms a dense 9-to-12-inch mound of upward-facing, wide-open bells. Excellent as a front-of-the-border plant.
- Serbian Bellflower (C. poscharskyana): A spreading rock plant featuring starry, pale lavender-blue flowers.
- Fairy Thimbles (C. cochleariifolia): A cheerful little spreading plant perfect for growing between paving stones, offering nodding blue or white bells on 4-to-6-inch stems.
There is a bellflower for every garden, but beware of the impressively invasive Creeping Bellflower (C. rapunculoides). Do not be seduced by its dainty 12-to-18-inch stems and drooping purple bells. It spreads via deep, tenacious underground rhizomes and is an aggressive weed bent on world domination. It is incredibly hard to eradicate once planted!
Quick Reference Guide: Best Bellflower Cultivars
When shopping at the nursery or ordering seeds, keep an eye out for these proven, high-performing cultivars:
| Species | Top Cultivars | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| C. carpatica | ‘Wedgewood Blue’, ‘Wedgewood White’ | Compact, 6-inch tall mounding blooms. |
| C. glomerata | ‘Caroline’, ‘Schneekrone’ | Pale pinks and pure whites; very sturdy. |
| C. lactiflora | ‘Loddon Anna’, ‘Pritchard’s Variety’ | Tall, deep blue or pink landscape borders. |
| C. punctata | ‘Cherry Bells’, ‘Pink Chimes’ | Long red/pink bells with white rims. |
| Hybrids | ‘Kent Bell’, ‘Sarastro’ | Huge purple flowers, extremely long bloom time. |
How to Grow and Care for Campanulas
Caring for bellflowers does not require an expert green thumb. As with most perennials, they are hardy plants that tolerate a wide range of weather conditions.
- Planting: They can be grown from seeds or nursery rhizomes. If growing from seed, note that many species require a cold, moist period (stratification) to germinate successfully. Sow the tiny seeds in prepared soil in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.
- Maintenance: Regular deadheading (removing spent flowers) is crucial to promote more blooms and prolong the display well into autumn. You can also cut the entire plant down to the ground from late winter to early spring to rejuvenate it.
- Propagation: Spring is the absolute best time to divide overgrown bellflower clumps or take root cuttings to expand your garden for free!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bellflowers invasive?
Most popular garden varieties (like C. carpatica and C. persicifolia) are well-behaved, though they may self-seed politely. However, the Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) is an aggressively invasive weed that spreads via deep rhizomes and should never be planted in home gardens.
Do bellflowers need full sun?
It depends on your climate. In northern zones with cooler summers, they thrive in full sun. In southern regions or areas with intense summer heat, they perform much better when given dappled afternoon shade to prevent the flowers from fading or scorching.
Will bellflowers come back every year?
Yes! The vast majority of the Campanula genus consists of herbaceous perennials. While the foliage may die back to the ground during freezing winter months, the roots will survive and push up fresh, vigorous new growth every spring.
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