It is a southern European biennial, found in Eurasian woodlands and meadows. The plant grows to a height of 6-12 in. (15-30 cm).  It has a herbaceous, smooth-textured, shiny/glossy-textured foliage. The genus includes about 300 species and several subspecies.

 

The plant is cultivated for its bell shaped flowers. The plant is of considerable horticultural importance. There is hardly a group of flowers which possess such rare beauty as does the large genus of Campanulas (Bellflower).The color range runs from mostly blue, with a scattering of white and the occasional pink.  The stalks of bloom are about 2 feet, tall and they are very effective when planted with the early blooming varieties of Phlox.

 

The bloom time is mid summer to late summer/early fall. Bellflowers can be grown just about anywhere, from rock gardens to woodland areas. They make good feature plants or backgrounds for roses.

 

With a few exceptions, campanulas are reliable perennials requiring no special care, just a bright, sunny position and free-draining soil. The plant has average water needs. Water it regularly but do not over water. Campanulas should be given full sunlight and should not be crowded in the beds.

 

The taller varieties need staking to prevent injury from the high winds. They like a good, rich soil, and in the spring a little fine manure and some bone meal should be dug around each plant. Most of the varieties, especially the taller ones, need winter protection, for if allowed to stand naturally, the heavy snows will flatten the crown of leaves to the ground, causing it to decay. Forest leaves should be packed between the plants, holding the leaves of the Campanula together with one hand. Evergreen boughs, straw or hay will serve for the dwarfed ones.

 

If the flowers are cut immediately upon fading, the blooming season can be prolonged for several weeks. Campanula species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species.

 

Did you know?

 

• There are many bellflowers for the wild garden, one of the best being C. latifolia.
• The Chimney Bellflower (C. pyramidalis) is the tallest one. It sends up long stalks of porcelain-blue and clear white flowers in August and continues blooming for six weeks.