Clustered Bellflower, Bellflower, Danesblood
Vigorous, charming, and eye-catching, Campanula glomerata (Clustered Bellflower) is a useful perennial that brings early color and contrast to the garden.
Campanula glomerata, also known as clustered bellflower, is native to a broad region spanning from Europe to western Asia. It thrives naturally in a range of habitats, including meadows, woodland edges, and rocky slopes.
Description: Clustered bellflower is an herbaceous perennial plant recognized for its showy, bell-shaped flowers and erect growth habit. It boasts a charming aesthetic that can bring a touch of wild beauty to any garden setting.
Growth Habit: This species forms basal rosettes from which emerge tall, upright stems. Over time, the plant can form sizeable clumps, providing a dense display of foliage and flowers. It spreads modestly in favorable conditions, and although not considered invasive, its self-seeding nature can lead to spontaneous new growths around the garden.
Size: Mature plants typically grow 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall and 12-36 inches wide (30-90 cm). This makes them a perfect choice for filling mid-border areas in the garden or providing height to a rockery.
Flowers: The distinctive bell-shaped flowers of the Campanula glomerata are upward-facing, violet-blue to white, each about an inch (2.5 cm) across. These charming flowers bloom at the stem tips in tight clusters of up to 15 blossoms, hence the common name. The dense clusters create a striking, vibrant display in the garden.
Foliage: This plant features basal rosettes of heart-shaped to oval green leaves that can grow up to six inches (15 cm) long. The foliage provides a lush backdrop for the standout blooms.
Blooming Season: Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer and lasts 2-3 weeks.
Hardiness: Campanula glomerata is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, making it a versatile addition to gardens in a wide variety of climates.
Uses: This plant is highly valued for its ornamental appeal. It’s an ideal choice for borders, cottage gardens, and rock gardens. The flowers are also suitable for cutting and make beautiful additions to fresh bouquets.
Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are particularly attracted to the blooms, making it an excellent choice for those wishing to encourage these beneficial creatures into their gardens.
Toxicity: There are no known toxicity concerns for humans or pets, adding to its appeal for family gardens.
Deer and Rabbit: As a bonus, it exhibits good resistance to browsing by deer and rabbits.
Invasiveness: While it can self-seed and spread beyond its original planting location, it’s not generally considered invasive as it doesn’t aggressively overtake garden spaces. If you allow it to go to seed, you may find new plants popping up in the surrounding areas the following spring. While this can be an advantage if you’re looking to naturalize a large area, seedlings may need to be removed to keep the plant in check. However, this is generally an easy task and can even provide extra plants to move to other parts of the garden or share with fellow gardeners.
Campanula glomerata, or clustered bellflower, is a versatile, hardy, and attractive plant that can offer numerous benefits in a variety of garden settings. Here are a few reasons you might consider adding it to your garden:
Showy Flowers: The large clusters of vibrant, bell-shaped flowers are a striking feature that can add a pop of color to any garden. These dense clusters of blossoms create a standout visual display that draws the eye. Campanula glomerata makes excellent cut flowers that last up to 2 weeks in a vase!
Attracts Pollinators: The flowers are a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent choice for those looking to attract and support these beneficial insects in their garden.
Versatility: This species is hardy in a wide range of climates (USDA zones 3-8) and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. It can be a beautiful addition to borders, rock gardens, or cottage gardens. Its height makes it suitable as a backdrop plant in mixed flower beds.
Low Maintenance: Once established, Campanula glomerata is relatively low-maintenance. It resists browsing by deer and rabbits, and isn’t prone to many diseases or pests.
Self-Seeding: The clustered bellflower tends to self-seed. While this may require some management to prevent it from spreading too widely, it can be a significant advantage if you’re looking to fill a large area of your garden. It can also provide you with extra plants to transplant or share with friends and fellow gardeners.
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Campanula |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early) |
| Height | 6" - 2' (15cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
The Clustered Bellflower offers robust versatility in a garden design with its showy clusters of purplish-blue flowers and ability to thrive in different settings. Here’s how you can incorporate this hardy perennial into your garden design:
Cottage Gardens: The quaint, old-world charm of Campanula glomerata fits perfectly into the informal and richly planted design of cottage gardens. Mix them with other traditional cottage garden flowers like roses, foxgloves, and delphiniums.
Mixed Borders: The striking purplish-blue flowers of Campanula glomerata make a bold statement in mixed borders.
Rock Gardens: Given its tolerance for various soils, it can thrive in well-drained soils typical of rock gardens. Its height can add a dramatic contrast to low-growing alpine plants.
Wildlife Gardens: If your garden is designed to attract and support wildlife, Campanula glomerata is an excellent choice. The nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies.
Containers: Campanula glomerata can also be grown in containers. Use tall, deep pots to accommodate their root system, and pair them with trailing plants for a contrasting display.
Cut Flower Gardens: The long-lasting, vibrant blooms of Campanula glomerata make excellent cut flowers. If you have a garden space dedicated to growing flowers specifically for cutting, be sure to include this plant.
Also, remember to account for its tendency to self-seed. While this trait can be advantageous for filling large areas, in a more formal setting, you may need to monitor and manage the spread to keep your garden design intact.
Campanula glomerata thrives when planted with companions that appreciate similar conditions of full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Here are some companion plants that pair well with Campanula glomerata:
Roses (Rosa spp.): Roses not only bring classic beauty but their range of colors and forms can complement the vibrant blues of the bellflower. Both appreciate well-drained soil and regular watering.
Ornamental Grasses (Various species): The fine texture of ornamental grasses provides a nice contrast to the bold blooms of Campanula glomerata. Grasses also add movement to the garden and can provide fall and winter interest.
Sage (Salvia spp.): The tall spiky flowers of sage provide a great contrast to the clustered blooms of bellflower. They are both drought-tolerant plants and can thrive in well-drained soil.
Crane’s Bill (Geranium spp.): These are robust, reliable and provide a variety of colors that can complement the bellflower. They can also handle a variety of soils.
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis): The frothy, lime green flowers and rounded leaves of lady’s mantle can provide a nice contrast to the upright growth habit and intense blue flowers of the bellflower.
Coreopsis: This plant, also known as tickseed, produces beautiful, daisy-like flowers throughout the summer. It enjoys similar growing conditions to Campanula glomerata and can add a lovely contrast in color, especially the yellow varieties.
Aquilegia: Known commonly as Columbine, these plants bear delicate, nodding flowers with unique shapes. Their variety in color can complement the purples and blues of Campanula.
Baptisia australis: This is a tall, shrubby perennial that produces spike-like clusters of pea-like flowers. Its blue-green foliage and dark blue flowers can contrast and complement Campanula glomerata nicely.
Achillea: Commonly called Yarrow, Achillea offers clusters of flowers in shades from white to yellow to pink to red, which can provide a great color contrast to Campanula’s bell-shaped flowers.
Papaver somniferum: Known as the opium poppy, this plant is famous for its large, showy flowers. Its dramatic blooms provide an excellent contrast in both color and shape to Campanula glomerata.
Digitalis: Commonly known as Foxglove, Digitalis has tall, striking flower spikes that add vertical interest and a classic cottage garden feel when planted with Campanula glomerata.
Remember to consider the growth habits, size, and requirements of these plants to ensure a healthy and aesthetically pleasing garden arrangement.
Growing Campanula glomerata is quite straightforward with the right conditions. Here are the key steps to successfully grow this plant:
Location: Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade. While Campanula glomerata can tolerate a range of light conditions, it prefers at least a few hours of sunlight each day for best flower production.
Soil: Plant Campanula glomerata in well-draining soil. This plant prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. If your soil is heavy clay or consistently wet, consider improving drainage or planting in a raised bed to prevent root rot.
Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball of your plant. Place the plant in the hole at the same depth it was in its pot. Backfill with soil, firming it gently around the base of the plant.
Watering: After planting, water thoroughly. Maintain consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, but avoid waterlogged conditions.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Feeding: While not strictly necessary, feeding with a general-purpose fertilizer in early spring can promote vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
Pruning: After the plant finishes blooming, you can cut back the stems to prevent self-seeding and encourage a second flush of flowers.
Dividing: To prevent overcrowding, divide the plants every few years in the spring or early fall.
Propagation: Propagate by division in spring or autumn or take basal cuttings in spring
Pests and Diseases: Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, which can damage the leaves. Fungal diseases can be prevented by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding excessive moisture.
By following these steps, you can enjoy the charming clustered bellflowers of Campanula glomerata in your garden.
ivusakzkrabice / 123RF
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Campanula |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early) |
| Height | 6" - 2' (15cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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