Campanula's associate traditionally with the tall spiked flowers of Delphinium and also marry well with border Phlox, Oriental Poppies and Achillea, depending on the bloom season of the individual varieties concerned.
Campanulas in the garden There are about 300 known species of Campanula. A lot of them are tiny alpine species from the Mountains of Europe, which lovely 'though they are, do not concern us here. But there is more than a scattering of larger species which make excellentg garden and border plants. They bring a range of exquisite soft blue and lavender to the garden and there are also white and pink flowered forms. There is a wide ranging height variation according to species, from front of the border dwarfs through mid-range species and a few really tall big boys for the back of the border. The so called Chimney Bellflower - Campanula pyramidalis - can tower to 12' or more and is very spectacular; although entirely hardy it was once cultivated in the Greenhouse in Victorian times, in order to tease the greatest majesty from it for showing competition. In the garden Campanula's mix very well in the general flower border; a number are excellent for cutting and should be considered for the cutting garden. Plant compaions depends on the size of the species/variety concenred but the following general list are all to be recommended: Oriental Poppies - work well with mid-border Campanula's, as do Lupins, Peonies Oenothera [Evening Primrose] and Achillea. Shorter growing kinds marry well with Nepeta - Catmint, Viola's, hardy Geraniums, Tradescantia, and hardy Pinks.Plant the larger growing species 18" apart, the smaller foreground Campanulas about 10" apart.
Campanula - species and varieties
Campanula glomerata Cluster Flowered Bellflower.One of the most popular species and an excellent trouble-free mid border species. Very good for cutting, the rounded clusters of bell-flowers appear atop bristly 60cm tall stems June-July, over compact basal foliage clumps.
Campanula calycanthema - Canterbury Bell Such a famous plant over the Centuries, hardly needs description. Although often termed a biennial will behave as a perennial usually, especially if deadheaded before it seeds. The flowers are probably the largest of all the Campanula family, spectacular large saucer to bell shaped beauties thickly clustered up leafy stems; shades of blue, purple, pink and white. Height around 90cm's.
Glomerata superba is the most often grown form and has deep inky purple nazy bells.glomerata alba is pure white, the variety Schneekrone [Crown of Snow] is an improved white form. Glomerata Caroline is a pretty newer introduction with lilac pink bells.
Campanula lactiflora Milky Bellflower. An attractive mid-height Campanula with an effusive, billowing habit, the wide clusters bof flowers appearing from June to August. A very hardy species with narrow leaves, grows well in the sunny border or in part shade on most soils. Also ideal for the wild garden. Very bee friendly. Has naturalized in Scotland; good cultivars include Loddon Anna which is lilac pink, Pritchards Variety remaining the best deep blue of this species, lactiflora alba a white flowered form selected direct from the species and a useful dwarf kind of less than half the height of the natural speceis, good for the border-front and of very tidy mounding habit.
Campanula trachelium Is known as the Nettle leafed Bellflower, is, despite the name, a useful and undeniably attracti ve species, in a wild and natural kind of way. The diamond shaped bristly leaves do recall a Nettle [although thankfully without the sting!] and the branched flower stems carry countless star shaped lavender purple flowers during July. Soundly perennial, hardy and a good plant for the wild garden or woodland glade.
Campanula latifolia The Great Bellflower of Europe. A superb species with relatively large deep violet blue flowers up leafy stems in June and July. Rough, hairy foliage; 120cm's or more in height, Excels in the informal or wild garden or amongst larger shrub roses. Latifolia macrantha has even larger flowers.
persicifolia The Peach Leafed Bellflower. Common in gardens for over a century and still one of the loveliest of Campanulas. Tidy shiny foliage provides a nice backdrop for the eruption of wiry straight flower stems that emerge in June. These support large waxy perfect fat bell-flowers.The original species is china blue. persicifolia alba is pure white. persicifolia Telham Beauty is a prized strain bearing especially large blue flowers. persicifolia La Belle is a reliable double blue cultivar. And finally persiciolia La Bello is double white and much sought after. All the Campanula persificolia varieties can be cultivated in an open-woodland setting as well as the mixed border and will naturalize if left undisturbed.
Campanula pyramidalis The Chimney Bellflower, a statuesque species originally from Italy and the Balkans. Its branched flower stems will reach from between 6-12' in height. The flower colour can be blue, lilac or white. The flower stems should be removed immediately after flowering to ensure longevity. A superb specimen for the back of the border, seems to prefer dryish soils.
Campanula poscharyskyana A familiar sprawling species of around 20cm's, much employed at the front of the border, on raised beds and over walls, covers iteslf in star-bell shaped soft light purple flowers June and July.
Campanula carpatica One of the most satisfactory of all dwarfing perennials. A low, compact mound forming plant with tidy shiny foliage, studded - often almost covered - with sizeable [proportionaly large] cup shaped flowers, the main flowering period is late Spring and early Summer but can flower almost perpetually. Ideal for smaller pots and planters, trough, border edging, rockery etc. Forms are available with both white and blue flowers. Plant 10" apart.
Campanula thrysoides A rare biennial or short lived perennial species of note for its sulphur yellow bell flowers. 60cm's; the only yellow flowered Campanula. A rarity but beautiful.
Campanula Hybrids
A number of excellent varieties have evolved recently and already rank amongst the most popular of all garden Campanula. With complex parentage, which seek to extend the boundaries of this important garden plant. These Campanulas triumph either with larger flowers, unusual colours, or a long flowering season - or all 3 qaulities! Definitely well worth evaluating for your garden.
Kent Belle Already achieving popularity; 80cm stems bedecked with large, fringed, glossy deep purple-blue flowers all summer long. Attractive heart shaped foliage. To be recommended.
Purple Sensation Deeply pigmented purple flowers that appear as large bells all over the compact 40cm stems in July and August. A tremendous performer.
Wine ' Rubies Large fringed bells of cream strongly speckled wine red. Stunning, flowers May to july; 50cm's tall.
Elizabeth Slightly spreading habit and wiry stems nodding with the weight of fat creamy bells which are patched with deep pink. Capable of flowering all summer long; popular.
Sarastro A newcomer that is impressing in trials. Dark blue-purple flowers, June to late August
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