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Campanula

Common name: Bellflower. 

A very large and varied group of plants from ground hugging alpines to tall imposing border plants. We avoid the very invasive species, but some will self seed and some spread by underground stems. They are not fussy about soil type but most need some moisture in summer. Best in a lightly shaded spot but will grow well in sun or heavier shade.

Very valuable for bumblebees.

A member of the Campanulaceae family.

Photo: Campanula persicifolia Pride of Exmouth in our garden with Erigeron Schneewittchen, Hemerocallis Mokan Butterfly  and Valeriana officinalis subsp. sambucifolia  30^th June 2011

For further reading please see the Hardy Plant Society booklet "Campanulas in the Garden" by Peter Lewis.

Campanula Crystal: 

Same parentage as Campanula x.burghaltii but with very icy purple blooms from early summer living up to their name well. They remind me of Lalique glass.

About 1ft 6in - 2ft (45-60cm) tall and making a clump about 1ft across in first year. Very good in light shade.

Campanula labiloba Hidcote Amethyst: 

One of my favourites with rosettes of narrow leaves and 1ft 6in spires of pale amethyst bells in June and July. Although it would appreciate some light shade I grow it well in sun. 

Campanula makaschvilii (Selected Form):

For me a totally unpronounceable name but a lovely plant nevertheless. 

The heart shaped leaves are similar to C.alliarifolia which is an altogether courser plant and larger with plain white bells. This little gem has pink-flushed flowers. From seed it is variable - sometimes just plain white -  so we have selected out the best pink-flowered form. 

About 1ft or perhaps a few inches taller and flowering in late spring and early summer and often again later in the season. I grow it in full sun in a fairly dry spot.

(Reintroduction to our range)

Campanula Paul Furze: 

Unusual late blooming Campanula with hairy, inky green leaves and matt blue flowers from August in autumn. Low growing (9 - 12") tall and creeping to form a mat about 2ft across in a couple of years.

Campanula persicifolia Chettle Charm 

Lovely white and pale blue bells, About 2ft tall in flower.  Also known as "George Chiswell". RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Campanula persicifolia Pride of Exmouth: 

Reintroduced to our range by popular demand - by that I mean people asked for it at our garden open in 2011 and I didn't have any to offer them! 

Double dark blue bells on 1ft 6in stems from June into August. Rosettes of narrow leaves. 

Does spread when happy but easy to pull up the bits you don't want.

Campanula punctata Albiflora: 

Parchment white flowers on 1ft stems on and off through summer. Vigorous and robust in the border.

Campanula punctata Alina's Double: 

Pink-flushed, white double flowers along 45cm tall stems from June. Fairly vigorous and robust in the border.

Campanula punctata Plum Wine: 

Typical punctata-type flowers - long bells with pink flush and spotting to white background), but its unique selling point are its "silver plated" leaves; a very unusual and attractive silver overlay on the leaves when grown in semi shade.  Leaves will take on maroon tints in brighter sun.

Campanula punctata Wedding Bells:

Another lovely hose-in-hose double, this time with short, creamy white bells with just a hint of pink.