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Bellflower Mix
Campanula medium
Also known as Campanula, Canterbury Bells, Cup and Saucer
In stock
Description
Bellflower is aptly named for its bountiful bell-shaped blooms. Some have a second layer of petals that make them look like a cup and a saucer (according to Noel, they look like the inner cup, or corona, of daffodil flowers).
I was turned on to bellflowers by a flower farmer, but at first I was resistant the idea of growing a flower that can’t be dried and isn’t perennial. I later got the seeds by happenstance at a local garden. I didn’t even know what the flowers looked like, but was impressed by the balloon shaped seed pods and the plant’s vigorous stature (standing as tall as me). I sowed a few seeds in flats, then transplanted them to a dry spot at the edge of our garden and forgot about them. In the following spring, tall plants appeared followed by masses of bell-shaped blooms in purple, lavender, rose, and white. Some were double, some single. They were so striking and had such a long vase life, I was sold on bellflowers, and continued to cultivate them ever since.
This mix continues to surprise me with different colors. The first plants were mostly purple and now some appear in a charming periwinkle blue, white, and light pink. Most are single flowers. They bloom in late June/July until September. With ideal growing conditions, bellflowers produce multiple side branches, ideal for cut flower growing.
Bellflowers have fine hairs all over, similar to rudbeckia, which protect them from deer browse. They can be planted unprotected and encouraged to self sow in areas with moderate sun and good soil.
Details
Lifecycle: Biennial
Hardiness zones: 6 – 8 (USDA)
Habitats: Stony banks in Europe
Plant size: 4 feet tall
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Water: Keep moist
Seeds per packet: 100+ seeds
Seed Starting
Campanula seeds benefit from 30-60+ days moist cold stratification. Sow seeds in flats during the fall, winter (indoor), or early spring. Do not cover as light is required for germination. Seeds are very small. Bottom water or mist lightly to avoid covering seeds. Transplant in the fall or spring, 1 – 2 feet apart.
Cultivation
Campanulas are biennial plants, flowering in the second year. They can overwinter outdoor in Zone 6 and above. They perform better during the cooler months so it’s best to get them going early in the season. If given adequate space and fertility, campanula will produce many long, sturdy stems of flowers from June through September.
Harvest
Harvest when 2-3 lower buds on a stem are open. Avoid bending the stems.
Propagation
Campanula produces a lot of seeds per plant and self sows in beds with good soil. Seeds are very small and easy to collect in the fall. Leave flowers on the plant to go to seed. Scatter seeds by shaking dried stems around or collect seeds for sowing.
Seed Saving
Once the flowers have dried up, collect the seed pods and cut them open with your pruners. Wear gloves as the plants and seed pods have hairs that can be irritating. Thousands of tiny seeds are inside each pod. I’ve found that the pods tend to crush flat but not shatter to release the seeds, so cutting open the pods or banging the stems into buckets is the easiest way to thresh them. Use a screen with small holes to separate the chaff.
Additional information
Weight | 0.007 lbs |
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Dimensions | 4.5 × 3.25 × .05 in |
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