Bellflower (Campanula), also called Canterbury Bells or Harebells, brings classic cottage-garden charm and whimsical color to landscapes across the country. These perennial treasures are known for their signature bell-shaped blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, the very essence of a romantic summer garden.
Bellflowers thrive in sunny to partly shaded spots, delighting pollinators and gardeners alike with their cheerful, long-lasting display. From low-growing groundcover types to upright border favorites, Bellflowers fit beautifully in beds, containers, and rock gardens.
At Nature Hills, you’ll find standout Bellflower varieties that combine classic looks with modern performance. These selections bloom for weeks and keep their color strong even through summer heat. Their compact habits, low maintenance needs, and reliable reblooming make them ideal for both seasoned gardeners and beginners eager to fill their garden with old-world charm and pollinator magic.
Landscaping Uses
Bellflowers blend seamlessly into almost any garden style: cottage, rock, border, or container! Their upright and trailing varieties let you play with structure and flow.
Try these design ideas:
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Carpathian Bellflowers (Rapido Blue, Rapido White, Blue Clips, White Clips): Perfect for edging pathways, rock gardens, and small borders. Their compact mounds burst with color all summer long.
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Peachleaf Bellflowers (Takion White): Excellent for cutting gardens and perennial borders, providing tall spikes of blooms that make stunning bouquets.
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Serbian Bellflowers (Adansa™ Purple): Wonderful groundcovers for filling between stepping stones or spilling over retaining walls with cascading purple blooms.
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Dalmatian Bellflowers (Catharina and Clockwise™ Compact Deep Blue): Great for mixed containers or small garden nooks, with lush, low growth and a profusion of blooms.
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Blue Waterfall Bellflower: A graceful, spreading variety perfect for containers, hanging baskets, or softening rock edges with waterfalls of blue.
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Dickson's Gold Bellflower: A standout foliage accent, this variety’s chartreuse-gold leaves contrast beautifully with cool-toned flowers and green companions.
- Pearl Deep Blue Bellflower: Great for small-space gardens, bringing intense, rich blue color to pots or borders.
Pair Bellflowers with Geraniums, Salvia, Catmint, Hostas, Ferns, and ornamental grasses for layered color and texture. They also make wonderful mixed perennial border companions for Rose bushes, Hydrangea bushes, and flowering annuals like Zinnias and Sunpatiens for continuous summer beauty.
For more inspiration on creating a vibrant pollinator garden or planning your perennial garden layout, Bellflowers are an easy, charming addition that ties everything together.
Care & Maintenance
Bellflowers are delightfully easy to care for once established. They prefer well-drained soil with moderate moisture and full sun to partial shade. Here’s how to keep them thriving:
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Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during the first growing season, then water deeply during dry spells (see watering tips).
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Deadheading: Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage reblooming and maintain a tidy look.
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Fertilizing: Feed in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to boost flower production.
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Pruning: After the plants die back in the late fall or early spring, trim back close to the ground for a clean start.
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Soil & Drainage: Amend heavy clay with compost or sand. Bellflowers dislike sitting in water.
- Winter Prep: In colder zones, mulch around the base (tree mulch) to protect roots from freeze-thaw cycles.
Most varieties are cold-hardy from zones 3 to 8, though some can handle zone 9 with partial shade and regular watering. They are also deer-resistant, making them a smart choice for gardens that see regular wildlife visitors.
Ringing True Beauty
Bellflowers are the kind of perennials that bring joy season after season, a chorus of color that seems to sing right from the garden bed. Their mix of graceful forms, rich hues, and long bloom times makes them unforgettable additions to any landscape.
Whether cascading down a rock wall, brightening a border, or filling containers with fairy-tale charm, Bellflowers promise effortless beauty.
Happy Planting!