Bellflower, Campanula

The name of the bellflower genus comes from the Latin campanula. The genus is quite large and extensive, including about 300 species that grow in the temperate zones of the Mediterranean, the Northern Hemisphere and the mountainous regions of the tropics. Garden bellflower – one of the best trailing plants that bloom in summer. The plant's light-green shoots hang very attractively from pots. In summer they become covered with a profusion of numerous small flowers. Spent flowers are best removed immediately so that the others do not perish and continue to please the eye for a long time.

Varieties of the plant

Campanula fragilis (brittle bellflower) – one of the gardeners' most beloved plants, a wonderful trailing species. Native to Sicily. It has drooping, fluffy, creeping stems. The leaves of this bellflower are heart-shaped, green, with short petioles. Blue flowers cover the whole plant. Campanula fragilis grows in the spring and summer periods. Campanula fragilis and its interesting garden forms are easily propagated by seed, which should be sown at the beginning of the year (January-February). Seedlings are pricked out into seed pans or pots. Then the young plants are transplanted into 9 cm high pots. Soil mix: three parts compost (or hotbed humus), one part sand and leaf soil.

Campanula isophylla Moretti (equal-leaved bellflower) – a herbaceous, perennial flower with drooping or thin long creeping shoots, native to Italy. The plant's leaves are light green, 3-7 cm long, alternate, toothed at the margin, rounded-heart-shaped, numerous and borne on long petioles. The equal-leaved bellflower has light-blue, bell-shaped flowers arranged in short corymb-like panicles, 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter. The fruits are rounded and take the form of a capsule. In horticulture, several hybrids have been grown since 1868: «Mayi» – a plant with purple flowers, popularly called «groom and bride»; «Alba» – a plant with white flowers. Campanula fragilis blooms from June to September.

Care tips

Bellflowers are not very demanding plants. It is sufficient to provide them with good light, abundant watering and cool conditions throughout the growth period. Shoots should be pruned after flowering. In winter they are best kept in a cool place and watered moderately.

1. Location: in summer it is beneficial to take them outdoors; direct sunlight should be avoided. If it is not possible to take the plant outside, it should be provided with fresh air circulation.
2. Temperature: 16-25°C – the optimal temperature range in summer, 12-15°C – in winter.
3. Lighting: bright light, avoid direct rays.
4. Watering: in summer water abundantly and regularly. In winter watering should be limited. The soil surface should dry out between waterings.
5. Air humidity: should be moderate.
6. Fertilization: from spring until autumn, fertilize every 2 weeks.
7. Propagation: by cuttings (February-March) or by seeds. Bellflower cuttings are rooted in a soil mix of sand and peat and are lightly misted.