Great Campanulas for Your Garden Borders

Bellflowers, Canterbury Bells, Harenbells, Cups and Saucers

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.

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.

They attract hummingbirds but resist deer browsing. The long-stemmed species are decorative as cut flowers.

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 garden borders.

Guide Information

Hardiness	4 - 9
Plant Type	Perennials
Genus	Campanula
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Height
Spread
Maintenance	Low
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders

Great Campanulas for your Garden Borders

Campanula persicifolia ‘Alba’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower)

Forming a basal rosette of narrow, toothed, bright green leaves, Campanula persicifolia ‘Alba’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower) sends up sturdy stems clad with narrow, pointed leaves that are reminiscent of those of the peach tree, hence its common name. In early to mid-summer, they bear large, nodding, bell-shaped, pure white flowers which add grace to the garden. Charming and eye-catching, they will persist longer if deadheaded. This Bellflower is an excellent choice for the border or mixed containers.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Campanula persicifolia ‘Blue-eyed Blonde’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower)

Noted for its brilliant foliage, Campanula persicifolia ‘Blue-eyed Blonde’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower) is a mat-forming perennial forming basal rosettes of long, narrow, bright golden leaves in the spring, lightening to lime as the season progresses. In early to mid-summer, tall spikes of large, bell-shaped, violet-blue flowers are on display, adding color and contrast to the garden. Well-behaved and easy to grow, this Bellflower is perfect for the sunny border, as an accent, or as edging.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	8" - 2' (20cm - 60cm)
Spread	8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)

Campanula persicifolia ‘Blue Bloomers’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower)

Noted for its double flowers, Campanula persicifolia ‘Blue Bloomers’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower) is a spreading, deciduous perennial with very large, violet-blue, double flowers in early to mid-summer. They are borne on upright, leafy stems arising from a basal rosette of narrow lance-shaped leaves. Incredibly eye-catching, the blossoms will persist longer if deadheaded. This Bellflower is an excellent choice for the border or mixed containers.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Campanula persicifolia ‘Chettle Charm’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower)

Campanula persicifolia ‘Chettle Charm’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower) is an upright perennial with elegant spikes of large, outward-facing, cup-shaped, creamy-white flowers tinged with pale blue at their petal edges. Blooming in early to late summer, they rise above a basal rosette of narrow lance-shaped, bright green leaves. Removing spent flowers will greatly increase the blooming season. This Bellflower is an excellent choice for the border or mixed containers.

Hardiness	3 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Campanula persicifolia ‘Takion Blue’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower)

Compact, Campanula persicifolia ‘Takion Blue’ (Peach-Leaved Bellflower) is a perennial with an abundance of outfacing, cup-shaped, violet-blue flowers in early to late summer. Unlike many Bellflower varieties with dangling or facing down blossoms, the flowers are held facing up and out, revealing their richly colored 2 in. wide blooms (5 cm). Well-behaved and easy to grow, this Bellflower can be grown in patio pots, mixed containers and is perfect for border plantings or as cut flowers. Great choice for small gardens!

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)

Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’ (Clustered Bellflower)

Charming and vigorous, award-winning Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’ (Clustered Bellflower) showcases dense clusters of rich violet-blue, upward-facing bell-shaped flowers. Blooming from late spring to early summer, the sturdy stems rise above a spreading rosette of toothed green leaves. Perfect for sunny or partly shaded borders, it also makes an excellent groundcover.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’ (Milky Bellflower)

Widely appreciated by gardeners, award-winning Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’ (Milky Bellflower) is a perennial that produces profuse, rounded clusters of rich violet-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers, adorned with a white center. Borne on sturdy stems clad with narrow, pointed leaves, they offer their spectacular floral display from midsummer to early fall. A great asset for beds and borders, this elegant cottage favorite will add interest to your sunny or partially shaded garden.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Campanula glomerata ‘Caroline’ (Clustered Bellflower)

Award-winner Campanula glomerata ‘Caroline’ (Clustered Bellflower) is a spreading perennial with upward facing, bell-shaped, shell pink to lavender flowers held in dense clusters, 5 in. across (12 cm). Blooming mostly from late spring to early summer, the flowers are borne atop sturdy leafy stems above a slowly spreading rosette of heart-shaped soft green leaves. This charming Bellflower is perfect for a sunny or partly shaded herbaceous border.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)

Campanula glomerata var. alba (Clustered Bellflower)

Campanula glomerata ‘Alba’ (Clustered Bellflower) is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial with upward facing, bell-shaped, pure white 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. Easy to pair, this Bellflower is perfect for a sunny or partly shaded herbaceous border.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Campanula ‘Pink Octopus’ (Bellflower)

A very unusual Bellflower, Campanula ‘Pink Octopus’ is a semi-evergreen, spreading perennial noted for its nodding, Japanese lantern buds opening in a striking, soft pink, octopus-like flower, with long and elegant spidery petals. Blooming from early to mid-summer, the flowers are massed on upright stems, up to 50 per branch, above the deeply cut foliage. Vigorous and heat tolerant, this remarkable Bellflower is perfect for the front of sunny borders, containers, or as a groundcover.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	10" - 2' (25cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Campanula lactiflora ‘Loddon Anna’ (Milky Bellflower)

Noted for its most pleasing shade, award-winning Campanula lactiflora ‘Loddon Anna’ (Milky Bellflower) is a clump-forming perennial with profuse rounded clusters of soft lilac-pink, bell-shaped flowers. Borne on sturdy stems clad with narrow, pointed leaves, they offer their graceful floral display from early to late summer. A great asset for beds and borders, this elegant cottage favorite will add interest to your sunny or partially shaded garden.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Campanula medium ‘Champion Pink’ (Canterbury Bells)

Very floriferous, Campanula medium ‘Champion Pink’ (Canterbury Bells) is an upright biennial with a profusion of large, broadly bell-shaped, pink flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm). Blooming from late spring to mid-summer, the flowers are borne atop long leafy stems above a basal rosette of lance-shaped, dark green leaves. Excellent source of nectar or pollen, they attract honey bees and butterflies. Old-fashioned but lovely, Canterbury Bells are well-suited to perennial borders and cottage gardens.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Campanula ‘Viking’ (Bellflower)

A well-behaved, non-spreading Bellflower, Campanula ‘Viking’ is a lovely perennial with upright spikes of large, lavender bell-shaped flowers in late spring to mid-summer. A favorite of hummingbirds, the flowers rise up from a low mound of dark green leaves. Compact, this charming Bellflower is perfect for sunny or partly shaded borders, cottage gardens, or small gardens.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Campanula ‘Summertime Blues’ (Bellflower)

Noted for its extremely long blooming season, Campanula ‘Summertime Blues’ is a clump-forming perennial with masses of large, pendulous, bell-shaped, silvery blue flowers from late spring to early fall. Borne on erect, burgundy stems, the flowers rise from a rosette of fresh green leaves. A well-behaved, non-spreading Bellflower that is perfect for sunny or partly shaded borders, cottage gardens, or small gardens.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	10" - 2' (25cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

You may want to review these useful guides too

Campanula – Which one for my Garden? Read More

Great Campanulas for Rock Gardens Read More

Great Flowering Groundcover Plants: Campanula Read More

Garden Examples

A Cheerful Summer Border Idea with Easy-to-Grow Perennials

A Fabulous Duo to Try: Campanula and Kniphofia

A Super Climbing Duo with Clematis ‘Ernest Markham’

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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.