Great Flowering Groundcover Plants: Campanulas
Bellflowers, Canterbury Bells, Harenbells, 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.
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.
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 that will provide a wealth of colorful flowers and foliage.
Great Campanulas as Flowering Groundcovers
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 '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.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 10" - 2' (25cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
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 the 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 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 from 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 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 punctata 'Cherry Bells' (Spotted Bellflower)
Very floriferous and long-lasting, Campanula punctata 'Cherry Bells' is an upright clump-forming perennial with long, hanging, cherry-red bells, adorned with creamy edges outside and purple freckles inside. Blooming from early to mid-summer, the flowers are borne in terminal racemes atop erect to gracefully arching stems. They rise above basal rosettes of rounded, toothed, mid-green leaves. Loved by hummingbirds, this eye-catching Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, and cottage gardens and can spread quite rapidly into a dense groundcover.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 8 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
Campanula takesimana 'Elizabeth' (Korean Bellflower)
Campanula takesimana 'Elizabeth' (Korean Bellflower) is a rhizomatous perennial with upright, gracefully arching stems bearing long bell-shaped, raspberry-pink flowers adorned with white edges. Blooming from mid to late summer, the pendant flowers dangle above a lush foliage of heart-shaped, glossy, mid-green leaves. Fast spreading, this interesting Bellflower is perfect as a groundcover or in areas where it will not overtake valued plants. Semi-evergreen in mild winter areas.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 7 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Campanula takesimana (Korean Bellflower)
A striking native of Korea, Campanula takesimana (Korean Bellflower) is a vigorously-spreading perennial with gracefully arching stems bearing long bell-shaped, drooping, satiny creamy-white flowers flushed with lilac-pink and adorned with dark speckles inside. Blooming from mid to late summer, the pendant flowers dangle above a lush foliage of large, heart-shaped, glossy, mid-green leaves. Fast spreading, this interesting Bellflower is perfect as a groundcover or in areas where it will not overtake valued plants. Semi-evergreen in mild winter areas.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 7 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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 the 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 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 Rock Gardens
It is hard to imagine a rock garden without Bellflowers. Incredibly floriferous, low-growing Campanulas 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.
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.
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 |
Landscaping Ideas | Ground Covers |
Fotoflor
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 |
Landscaping Ideas | Ground Covers |
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