Great Campanulas for Rock Gardens
Bellflowers, Canterbury Bells, Harenbells, Cups and Saucers, Carpathian Bellflowers, Serbian Bellflowers
Campanula is a massive genus including more than 300 species of mostly perennials, but also some annuals and biennials. Some are stately, tall garden plants which are excellent choices for borders or cutting. Others are mat-forming or creeping and are perfect for edging or in rock gardens.
It is hard to imagine a rock garden without Bellflowers. Who can resist the quiet charm of the dwarf Campanulas? Rewardingly floriferous, they form a carpet of nodding bells and are hard to beat in terms of floral display. They produce so many flowers that they nearly cover the entire plant. Their flowering stems trail gracefully and look wonderful on the edge of a raised bed or planted in a stone wall where they can weep beautifully.
Easy and accommodating, Campanulas enjoy sunny or partly shaded sites with well-drained soils. If sited properly, they require little if any maintenance.
Below is a list of wonderful species and cultivars for your rock garden. They may also be tucked into steps, walls troughs, for greater interest in the garden.
Great Campanulas for the rock garden
Campanula 'Birch Hybrid' (Bellflower)
An incredibly eye-catching Bellflower, Campanula 'Birch Hybrid' is a vigorous, low-growing, evergreen perennial with masses of erect, violet-blue, bell-shaped flowers from early summer to early fall. They rise above a trailing mound of small, fresh green leaves. Well-behaved, this charming Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, cascading over walls or containers. It will grow in crevices of a wall with a wonderful effect. Great groundcover too!
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm) |
Spread | 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm) |
Campanula 'Samantha' (Bellflower)
Compact and well-behaved, Campanula 'Samantha' is a mat-forming perennial with short sprays of fragrant, upward-facing, cup-shaped, blue-violet flowers, 1 in. across (2 cm). Blooming from early to mid summer, the flowers are borne above a lush foliage of deep green leaves. They will re-bloom sporadically if deadheaded. Slowly spreading, this eye-catching Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, edging, growing in containers or as a groundcover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm) |
Spread | 10" - 2' (25cm - 60cm) |
Campanula 'Sarastro' (Bellflower)
Campanula 'Sarastro' is a clump-forming perennial with elegant spires of large, bell-shaped, drooping flowers in a rich violet-purple shade. Blooming from early to late summer, the flowers are borne on upright leafy stems above a basal rosette of mid-green leaves. Slowly spreading, this eye-catching Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, cottage gardens and makes an effective ground cover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 8 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Campanula carpatica 'Deep Blue Clips' (Carpathian Bellflower)
Noted for its remarkable flower power, Campanula carpatica 'Deep Blue Clips' (Carpathian Bellflower) is a low-growing perennial forming a tidy mound of toothed and rounded bright green leaves. In early summer, blue, upturned, bell shaped flowers are borne on short stalks just above the foliage. They are produced in such quantities that they nearly cover the entire plant. This plant will continue blooming for weeks, until early fall, if spent blossoms are regularly deadheaded. This charming Carpathian Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, at the front of perennial borders, or massed as a groundcover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm) |
Spread | 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm) |
Campanula carpatica 'White Clips' (Carpathian Bellflower)
A very popular Bellflower, Campanula carpatica 'White Clips' (Carpathian Bellflower) is a low-growing perennial forming a tidy mound of toothed and rounded bright green leaves. In early summer, pristine white, upturned, bell shaped flowers are borne on short stalks just above the foliage. They are produced in such quantities that they nearly cover the entire plant. This plant will continue blooming for weeks, until early fall, if spent blossoms are regularly deadheaded. This charming Carpathian Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, at the front of perennial borders, or massed as a groundcover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm) |
Spread | 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm) |
Campanula carpatica var. turbinata 'Foerster' (Carpathian Bellflower)
Campanula carpatica var turbinata 'Foerster' (Carpathian Bellflower) is a low-growing perennial forming a neat mound of toothed and rounded bright green leaves. In early summer, large, clear blue, open flowers are borne on short stalks just above the foliage. They are produced in such quantities that they nearly cover the entire plant. This plant will continue blooming for weeks, until early fall, if spent blossoms are regularly deadheaded. This charming Carpathian Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, at the front of perennial borders, or massed as a groundcover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm) |
Spread | 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm) |
Campanula carpatica var. turbinata 'Jewel' (Carpathian Bellflower)
Campanula carpatica var turbinata 'Jewel' (Carpathian Bellflower) is a low-growing perennial forming a neat mound of toothed and rounded mid-green leaves. In early summer, large, dark violet-blue, upward facing flowers are borne on short stalks just above the foliage. They are produced in such quantities that they nearly cover the entire plant. This plant will continue blooming for weeks, until early fall, if spent blossoms are regularly deadheaded. This charming Carpathian Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, at the front of perennial borders, or massed as a groundcover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm) |
Spread | 10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm) |
Campanula cochlearifolia (Fairy's Thimble)
Among the smallest Bellflowers, award-winning Campanula cochlearifolia (Fairy's Thimble) is a low-growing rhizomatous perennial with charming clusters of nodding, bell-shaped, delicate blue flowers, up to 2 in. long (5 cm). Blooming freely in late spring to mid summer, the flowers dance on erect, wiry stems, up above a compact clump of small, rounded bright green leaves. Well-behaved, this cute Bellflower spreads with restraint, but is so small, that it will never smother other plants. Let it ramble through the rock garden, cascade over walls or raised beds or grow in crevices. It will look wonderful wherever it ends up.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 7 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 3" - 6" (7cm - 15cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Campanula garganica 'Dickson's Gold' (Adriatic Bellflower)
Noted for its unique foliage, Campanula garganica 'Dickson's Gold' (Adriatic Bellflower) is a low-growing, clump-forming perennial forming a dense and attractive mound of bright golden-yellow, heart-shaped, toothed leaves. In late spring to early summer, loose clusters of starry, lavender-blue flowers bloom in such quantities that they nearly cover the entire plant. Evergreen in mild winter areas, this Adriatic Bellflower is perfect for border fronts, rock gardens or as a ground cover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 7 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 3" - 6" (7cm - 15cm) |
Spread | 6" - 2' (15cm - 60cm) |
Campanula glomerata var. acaulis (Clustered Bellflower)
Campanula glomerata var. acaulis (Clustered Bellflower) is a low-growing spreading perennial with upward facing, bell-shaped, deep-purple flowers held in dense clusters. Blooming mostly from late spring to early summer, the flowers are borne atop sturdy leafy stems above a spreading rosette of ovate to lance-shaped, dark green leaves. Perfect for edging, this Bellflower is also well-suited to containers or rock gardens.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 3 - 8 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Campanula portenschlagiana (Dalmatian Bellflower)
One of the most deservedly popular of all Bellflowers, award-winning Campanula portenschlagiana (Dalmatian Bellflower) is a very vigorous, low-growing perennial forming evergreen mounds of flaring, bell-shaped, deep lavender flowers, 1 in. across (2 cm). Blooming freely in early to late summer, the abundant flowers are borne on branching stems above a spreading rosette of tiny, heart-shaped, mid-green leaves. This charming Dalmatian Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, cascading over walls or raised beds. It will grow in crevices of a wall with a wonderful effect. Wonderful groundcover too!
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 3 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Campanula poscharskyana (Serbian Bellflower)
Campanula portenschlagiana (Serbian Bellflower) is a low-growing, sprawling perennial forming mounds of flaring, star-shaped, pale violet-blue flowers, 1 in. across (2 cm). Blooming freely from late spring to early summer, masses of flowers are borne on spreading stems above a foliage of rounded, mid-green leaves. Semi-evergreen to evergreen in warm winter climates, this Serbian Bellflower is perfect for edging paths or border fronts, cascading over walls or as a ground cover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 3 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Campanula rotundifolia (Bluebell)
Delicate and graceful, Campanula rotundifolia (bluebell) is an upright perennial with attractive, bell-shaped, nodding, blue-violet flowers that hang singly or in clusters at the tip of erect stems throughout summer. Slender, the flowering stems often become so weak that the entire plant bends over. Dancing on summer breezes, this Bluebell forms a basal rosette of small, rounded, long-stalked leaves which usually wither early and disappear before the flowers form. An excellent choice for rock gardens, sunny walls or banks.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 3 - 6 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm) |
Campanula x pulloides 'Jelly Bells' (Bellflower)
Eye-catching, Campanula x pulloides 'Jelly Bells' (Bellflower) is a mat-forming perennial with large, nodding, bell-shaped, rich blue-violet flowers. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the flowers are borne above a lush foliage of bright green leaves. They will re-bloom sporadically if deadheaded. A slowly spreading Bellflower that is perfect for rock gardens, edging, containers or as groundcover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 8 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
You may want to review these useful guides too
Campanulas - Which one for my Garden?
Noted for their charming flowers and long flowering displays, Campanulas (Bellflowers) are a classic choice for beds and borders in cottage gardens or rock gardens where they bring great effect. Campanula is a massive genus including more than 300 species of mostly perennials, but also some annuals and biennials. They are one of the treasures of the gardening world because of their diverse habit and bold flowers.
Great Campanulas for Your Garden Borders
Classic border favorites for their gorgeous blue flowers, Campanulas are charming with their masses of showy, cup-shaped blossoms that nod like graceful bells above the foliage. Their stately spikes on upright stems create terrific vertical accents in the garden and eye-catching backdrops.
Great Flowering Groundcover Plants: Campanulas
Some Campanulas experience both a dense and rapid growth which helps to suppress weeds while creating a terrific blanket of flowers and foliage. They are perfect candidates for banks and slopes or areas that are difficult to maintain. Rewardingly floriferous, they form a carpet of nodding bells and are hard to beat in terms of floral display. Some produce so many flowers that they nearly cover the entire plant.
Garden Examples
Guide Information
Hardiness |
4 - 9
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Campanula - Bellflowers |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden |
eyewave / 123RF Banque d'images
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
Hardiness |
4 - 9
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Campanula - Bellflowers |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden |
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