When small colorful caps unfurl on a hot spring day, it may seem that there is a delicate sound of miniature bells in the garden air. In June, and sometimes as early as May, various species of Campanula begin to bloom. One of the earliest flowers is thebell rapunkułC. rapunculus, whose flowers can be seen in natural stands in the forest or in the meadow.The two-year-old plant has shoots up to 100 cm long and fleshy lilac flowers.Arranged in a flat rosette, the leaves of the native bellflower can be eaten like a lamb's lettuce. Little roots as early as the 17th century.were valued as a tasty vegetable that was primarily eaten raw.
Cushion-forming species such as the Dalmatian bellflower C. portenschlagiana find good living conditions in the rock garden and the crevices of dry walls. The small (up to 15 cm high) evergreen perennial with small star-shaped flowers comes from the limestone mountains of the Adriatic coast of Croatia.The shoots of the well-known Carpathian bellflower, C. carpatica, also grow pillow-like.The sun-loving groundcover perennial comes from the Carpathians and has been cultivated for over two hundred years.
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Characteristic feature of the bells - a multitude of purple flowers (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
In late spring and summer, stems 20-30 cm long with blue flowers similar to small cups sprout above the leaf cushions.On the other hand, white flowers have a variety called 'White Clips'.Bellflower PoszarskiC. poscharskyana has longer flaccid shoots with larger leaves and panicles of flowers. Perennial, also from Croatia, can cover the warm walls of garden walls. Moreover, it is also suitable for mixed rebate borders.
The bell species with long, straight stems have a completely different habit.Concentrated bellsC. glomerate sprouts up to 50 cm long, which are topped with spherical clusters of dark purple flowers.The broad-leaved bell C. latifolia grows over 100 cm high and opens large flowers in the shape of elongated bells with curled edges.Tall species of bells are leading plants, which with their habit significantly stand out in the bedding arrangement, giving it a unique appearance.
Under the bushes, they look very impressive in the company of the Cimicifuga candlestick, Geranium sanguineum, and ferns.In the flowerbed, tall bells make great groups in combination with other magnificent perennials, such asdelphiniumDelphinium,peonyPaeonia and Phlox paniculata.Both long-stemmed species of bellflower feel well in semi-shaded places.The broad-leaved bellflower coming from forest areas does well even in more shaded places, shining with even deeper shades of blue. After cutting, the long flower stems of these bells look very nice in a vase and stay fresh for a long time.
Bells are vital plants with low demands. Most species like well-drained soil, slightly calcareous and not very fertile. Excessive fertilization makes plant tissues soft and flaccid, and more susceptible to fungal diseases. The peach-leaved C. persicifolia is distinguished by its lush flowering even in arid and dry locations.Its ease of dispersing seeds and the tendency of its roots to migrate underground are also amazing. After a few years, blue or white perennial flowers can be found in all corners.
The genus of bellflower includes about 300 species, mostly perennials. These are very hardy plants that reappear in the bedding after each winter. We reproduce them by dividing the root ball, and most of them additionally by sowing. Popularbell gardenC. medium reproduces only from seeds, because it is a biennial plant. We start growing in May, and next year will develop shoots about 100 cm long with blue, pink or white flowers.
One of the least demanding species is the Japanesedotted bellC. punctata. Its variety 'Sarastro' can grow for many years in one place.It blooms reliably for weeks every year, delighting with large, thumb-length purple flowers with darker spots inside.
