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Genus Campanula (Bellflower)

Campanula Campanula medium 'Calycanthema' Photo/Illustration: Dency Kane
kam-PAN-yew-lah Common Name: Bellflower
Campanula is a diverse genus with varying attributes, but most are noted for their flowers, which can be tubular, bell, star, cup or saucer shaped. Flower color varies widely. Plants range from low mat-forming species to dwarf perennials and herbaceous species.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Most species offer long flowering displays from late spring to late summer. Wide range of flower color and forms.
 Care: Refer to individual species entry; varies widely among species.
 Propagation: Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Alpine species should be sown in an open frame. Divide in spring or autumn. Take basal cuttings of perennials in spring.
 Problems: Slugs, snails, vine weevils, spider mites, and aphids. Powdery mildew, rust, Spetoria and Ramularia leaf spot, and Southern blight.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Campanula

Campanula 'Elizabeth' Campanula 'Elizabeth'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Starting in early summer and continuing until fall, 'Elizabeth' puts forth abundant purple-flushed, pale pink bells with dark speckles on the inside. Flowers are 2 to 3 inches long and lightly scented. The toothed leaves are bright green. This low-maintenance, hardy perennial retains its evergreen foliage through winter.

By late fall, as the older crowns die out, new rosettes of leaves appear at the ends of underground rhizomes, giving the illusion that the plants have moved. This is not a desirable trait in formal beds, but it's an asset in naturalized plantings. 'Elizabeth' does well under deciduous trees and shrubs, in cottage and rock gardens, and along paths that leat into the woods.
Campanula carpatica Campanula carpatica
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Upright, open bell-shaped flowers completely cover the foliage of this late-blooming Campanula for several months in summer. This small plant is suitable for the front of the border or a rock garden. Numerous cultivars are available.
Campanula cochleariifolia Campanula cochleariifolia
(Fairies’ thimbles) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Diminutive (to 2 inches tall) spikes bear lavender-blue nodding flowers that sway in the breeze.
Campanula lactiflora Campanula lactiflora
(Milky bellflower) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This upright bellflower grows to 4 or 5 feet with rounded leaves and conical spires of bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, violet, or white.
Campanula medium ‘Calycanthema’ Campanula medium ‘Calycanthema’
(Canterbury bells, Cup and Saucer) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This 2- to 3-foot-tall bellflower bears single or double flowers in white, blue, or pink. 
Campanula persicifolia Campanula persicifolia
(Peach-leaved bellflower) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This plant is one of the most popular campanulas. Its stiff mat of slowly spreading evergreen rosettes is topped by 3-foot-tall, all open, bell-shaped lavender to white flowers in late spring.
Campanula portenschlagiana Campanula portenschlagiana
(Dalmatian bellflower) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This low, mat-forming plant has blue-purple flowers in summer.
Campanula poscharskyana 'Blue Waterfall' Campanula poscharskyana 'Blue Waterfall'
(Serbian bellflower) (3 user reviews)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Serbian bellflowers have an easy, undemanding habit. Creating a stream of lavender blue, the 1-inch-diameter star-shaped blossoms bloom reliably from late spring to early fall. The foliage remains evergreen in mild winters and needs to be sheared only once in a while to keep its appearance tidy. 'Blue Waterfall' flows beautifully along bed edges and through rock gardens in full sun to partial shade.
Campanula punctata Campanula punctata
(Spotted bellflower) (2 user reviews)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Spotted bellflower has heart-shaped foliage on a creeping rhizome with tubular, bell-shaped creamy white to dusky pink flowers with red spots and hairs. This foot-tall bellflower is native to Siberia and Japan.