Bellflower flowers growing and care. Bluebells flowers

All bells have a varied appearance and grow in central Russia and in the south of its country. Flowers tolerate heat, low temperatures and various diseases well. A description of the best varieties and brief information about the homeland of growth are given below.

In the modern world there are many bells that are grown in garden conditions and delight the gardener with their flowers. Now let's look in more detail at the varieties of this plant.

Peach leaf ( Campanula Persicifolia)

This non-perennial variety lives only 2-3 years, after which it dies. It is called Peachleaf because of its leaf blades that resemble peach leaves. The height of the bush is 100 cm. Flowering continues all summer long if drying shoots are pruned in a timely manner. Flowers have different shades:

Blue;
Purple-blue;
White double flowers.

The seed pods ripen at the end of August. Prefers sunny places.

If groundwater lies close to the soil surface in the garden, then there is a need for a drainage pad made of fine gravel 10 cm high.

Field or Meadow

Field bells are found, as the name suggests, in the wild in the fields and meadows of our country. Bush is not very tall, 40 cm. The flowering of the meadow plant lasts throughout June with lilac flowers.

Perennial varieties

All varieties are perennial. And therefore, when choosing a place for them in the garden, you should take this into account.

Garden

There is no separate species of Garden flower, but any wild or varietal flower can grow in the garden.

Roundleaf (Campanula rotundifolia)

The plant is tall and grows to a height of 60 cm. The leaf blades die off during flowering. Blue flowers bloom in June. This type of Bluebell is considered medicinal.

Spreading (Campanula patula)

The Caucasus Mountains are considered the birthplace of this plant. This is a two-year-old plant with a herbaceous straight stem, highly branched, due to which it grows as a very spreading bush. The leaf blades are arranged spirally on the stem, have an oblong shape, pointed towards the end of the plate.

The flowers are collected in a panicle and have a lilac color and, depending on the soil and lighting, sometimes acquire a light purple tint. Each individual flower is shaped like a funnel consisting of five equal parts. Flowering begins in early June and lasts all summer. It easily propagates by self-sowing, but if there is a desire to collect seeds, then you need to catch the moment of their maturation and shake them out of the flower.

Crowded (Campanula glomerata)

The tall plant has a straight, slightly pubescent stem. The leaf blades change as they grow; young ones have the shape of a pointed heart. In an adult plant, in the second year of its life, egg-like leaf plates grow up to 7 cm long and 3 cm wide..

Most flowers are bright blue in color and have a standard bell shape.

The plant is winter-hardy and easily tolerates winters in Russia.

The plant does not tolerate seasonally prolonged rains, and as a result, it is watered only during times of prolonged drought.

Flowering lasts only one month, but if you cut flowers into bouquets, flowering continues throughout the summer.

Altai (Campanula altaika)

A perennial only 25 cm high, the leaf blades are elongated and green. Small blue bells. Flowering occurs at the end of June and lasts about a month.

Siberian (Campanula sibirika)

The plant is not tall up to 20 cm. With green leaves and lilac bells. Flowering lasts all summer and September.

Bolognese (Campanula bononiensis)

It has healing properties; the stem, up to 70 cm high, is crowned with pink bells. The leaves at the bottom are rounded; the leaves at the top are straight and narrow.. Flowering lasts throughout June.

Rapunculoides (Campanula rapunculoides)

Long stems can grow up to a meter in height. The flower arrow is long and all dotted with blue, pink and white bells. This variety blooms all summer.

Broadleaf (Campanula latifolia)

This tall plant grows up to 130 cm and has tight stems. The lower leaf blades have a rounded shape with small teeth along the edge of the plate. The upper leaves are elongated with a pointed end. Flowers grow from the axils of the upper leaves and are up to 4 cm long.. The flower brush itself is 20 cm high. The flowering of the species lasts two months, starting in early July. Depending on the variety, the flowers are:

Violet;
Lilac.

Loves the lacy shade of trees and does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

Nettle leaf (Campanula trachelium)

This perennial has a bush height of 55 cm. The leaf blades are similar to nettle leaves, which is why it got its name. Its flowers come in both double and simple forms.. Flowering occurs all summer. It reproduces poorly when dividing the mother bush and has strong frost-resistant qualities.

It reproduces almost exclusively by seed.

Rough-haired Deer (Campanula cervicaria)

It is also popularly called St. John's wort. The plant grows to a height of one meter and has stiff stems. The foliage is gray-green, the lower leaf blades are more rounded than the upper ones. It blooms with small blue bells in May and June.

Growing

This plant can easily be grown on Moorish lawns and garden beds, as it does not cause any trouble in caring for itself.

Planting in open ground

When choosing places in the open ground, you need to choose a place where there will be a lacy shadow of a tree and there is no stagnation of water. Seedlings are planted in early May or June when the threat of return of frost has passed.. There should be plenty of space since bluebell bushes usually grow well.

Bluebell grows well on eastern slopes.

If there is poor soil in the area, add a handful of humus to each hole. A seedling is placed in the center of the hole and earth is poured around it and compacted with hands.

After planting, water the seedlings well.

Care

To prolong the flowering of bluebells, promptly remove faded flowers.

Any variety of bells responds poorly to increased watering, as this can lead to rotting of the plant's root system. The lighting can be quite sunny, but bells also tolerate light partial shade from trees..

Fertilize the plant annually in April with mullein infusion or any nitrogen fertilizer.

Apply all fertilizing to moist soil.

Reproduction

The easiest way to propagate bells of any variety is using seeds.

Seed propagation in spring

In early March, seeds are planted in containers with bottom drainage holes to drain water. Soil is purchased for seedlings or made up yourself, taking in equal proportions:

Sod land;
Leaf soil;
Peat;
Sand.

The seeds are watered and covered with glass or a transparent bag to improve seed germination. When most of the seeds show their noses from the ground, the cover is removed, placed in a brighter place, but without direct sunlight, so that the tender seedlings do not burn. Further care consists of timely watering and rotating the seedlings relative to the sun.

Maintain good lighting and moderate humidity, otherwise the blackleg disease may appear.

Seed propagation in open ground

Seeds are sown in early November or spring in May in previously prepared soil. There is no need to soak the seeds; they are mixed with sand and poured evenly onto the ground. The first shoots appear after 15 days. Further care is carried out with the help of watering and timely weeding.

If the weather is cold in the spring in May, the bellflower crops are covered with any shelter.

Dividing the bush

This breeding is carried out at the end of May or at the beginning of September, when the intense heat subsides. The old mother bush is dug up and divided with the tip of a shovel so that each part contains growing points and a root system. Then they are planted in prepared holes with the addition of nitrogen fertilizer and well watered. After all the manipulations, the soil around the seedling is compacted by hand and mulched with straw.

Carry out the entire procedure of dividing the bush quickly so that the fibrous root system of the plant does not dry out.

Homeland and where it grows now

The homeland is considered to be areas with a temperate climate. At the moment he can be found:

In Siberia;
In the Caucasus;
In Asia;
In Ukraine.

Prefers to grow on rocky surfaces and mountain slopes. Digitalis

Growing in the garden and in natural conditions

In the garden Bluebell of any variety receives more care than the wild variety, and therefore its flowers can be larger and brighter when grown in garden conditions. Also, the flowering time of the Garden Bluebell is a month longer.

History and cultural use

This plant began to be cultivated in gardening in the 16th century. At first, wild species were planted in the garden, but eventually, botanists developed plants that were more decorative than their wild relatives.

At the moment, it is planted very often, decorating various landscape compositions with it. Blooming bells look very cute, but this is not the only advantage of flowers. It looks very beautiful planted as part of the Moorish lawn.

The bell amazes with its large number of varieties with which you can decorate your garden. And at the same time, it requires absolutely no complicated care.

Bells are popularly considered garden flowers, with the only exception being Campanula equifolia, which is widespread in the culture of indoor plants, the main representatives of which are the popular varieties Mayi and Alba with white and bluish flowers, which are popularly referred to as the bride and groom.

But recently, compact and low-growing bells, which are intended for growing in open ground, are beginning to gain positions in indoor floriculture. The champions among these plants are the terry variety of bells.

Varieties and types of bells

It grows on the edges of bushes or on slopes. It is a perennial with a spindle-like root system and a straight or slightly branched stem. The leaves are ovoid, pointed, rough and pubescent underneath.

Depending on weather conditions, the bell grows up to one and a half meters. The flowers are not large, light blue in color, solitary or collected in groups in the axils of the leaves, creating racemose inflorescences.

Forms buds in June, the flowering period occurs from July to early August. Flowering lasts about two weeks, some plants continue their flowering period due to lateral stems. The number of flowers is very large, up to about a hundred, and sometimes more.

The seeds are collected in August. The bell flower reproduces very well by self-sowing. If you want to plant these flowers in your garden, you should sow the seeds before winter. This species is very dry-resistant. I have it growing on a rocky hill.

It is also a resident of forests, bushes and slopes. The flowers are solitary or collected in groups of two or four in the axil of the leaves, creating racemose inflorescences. The height of the plant does not exceed one meter. Flowering occurs a little earlier than Bolognese, but the flowering period is longer.

In favorable conditions, repeated flowering is possible. The seeds ripen in August. The boxes are collected before drying. These bells in the garden are not picky about the soil, but love wetter and quieter places. They look very good near bodies of water.

Distributed in pine forests, on slopes among bushes. The height of the stem is from ten to fifty centimeters. The flowers are solitary or placed in groups of two or three on the tops of spacious stems.

These garden bells begin the growing season earlier than other species; the flowering period occurs in June. Flowering lasts throughout the summer. The boxes need to be collected several times, because the presence of ripe fruits stops the flowering period of the plant.

It is better to sow the seeds of round-leaved bells in winter. Try scattering the seeds randomly and the plantings will surprise you with thick, spreading and thin stems that will form a green feather bed, equipped with small leaves and exquisite flowers.

It grows in forests, but the most favorite habitats are forest onions. It is possible to find them on poor soils of pine forests, but they do not create clumps here, but grow singly with two or three flowers on weak stems. And in the groves, next to the mighty oaks, the bells are especially luxurious.

They awaken later than other species, but their flowering period begins earlier. At the end of June, the seeds are already ripening, which can be easily poured out through the holes located in the upper part of the fruit. This species gives very good self-seeding. Flowering occurs in the second year. They differ from other species in the size of their flowers and drought resistance.

This perennial plant has a straight, simple stem with a milky sap. The leaves are bare, toothed, and the basal leaves are elongated and sessile. The flowers are large, single or collected in racemes, blue and sometimes white.

Loves forests, bushes and slopes, limestone outcrops, as well as wastelands and roadsides. This perennial with a thick branched stem up to a meter high. The entire plant is covered with rough short hairs. The basal and lower stem leaves are located on long petioles, heart-shaped-ovate, the upper lanceolate, serrated. Forms up to ten flowers on short stalks in a violet racemose inflorescence. Calyxes are hairy with curved teeth. The corolla is larger than the calyx, funnel-shaped.

In the garden, the height of this plant can reach two meters; the inflorescence can contain up to one hundred and fifty flowers. The bell plant grows at the end of March and blooms in June–July. It can be propagated by dividing the bush or by seeds. The seeds ripen in July August.

It is better to sow in winter. The plant self-sows. The seeds have a high germination rate, but require a period of rest. In the first year, a rosette with several leaves and a taproot appears. The next year, a stem and creeping underground shoots appear from this rosette, which give rise to new plants. Vegetative propagation continues from year to year, and over time the bells cover a very large area.

It grows in forests, on the edges, and lives well on dry onions. A perennial plant with a thick, almost tree-like rhizome and a straight, simple stem, often reddish and pubescent. The upper leaves are narrow, and the lower ones are ovate-elongated. Dark purple flowers collected in the inflorescence of the head in the axil of the upper leaves. The height of the plant is twenty-fifty centimeters, sometimes higher. They appear in early spring, flowering occurs in June, and the seeds ripen in August.

The crowded bell loves dry places, they look very beautiful in groups. Young root leaves contain milky juice; they are used together with sauerkraut to make soups. An infusion of leaves is used in folk medicine for sore throats and as a lotion for skin diseases. A good honey plant.

An unpretentious perennial. These are the most decorative bells. The flowers are large, light purple, collected in inflorescences. The height of the plant is from seventy to one hundred and fifty centimeters.

Flowering occurs in the second year. It begins to grow in early April. The budding phase occurs from the beginning of June, and at the end of the same month the flowering period begins. The stems are straight. The flowers are bell-shaped, which are located in the axils of the upper leaves and collected in a densely spike-shaped cluster.

Flowering occurs until the end of July. The seeds ripen in September. Autumn sowings produce good seedlings in the spring. Blooms densely in open sunny places. It is better to use sandy and loamy soil.

Perennial root-like plant. Very decorative, with large blue flowers, which can be found in gardeners’ flower beds, and white ones, which look like glasses, with a pyramidal inflorescence. The flowers are solitary, located at the top of the flower stalks. The heart-shaped leaves are mainly basal, the stems reach a height of up to forty centimeters.

Propagated by seeds, which are scattered on the surface of the soil and lightly compacted. Entire clumps are formed on dry soils. Loves sunny areas with fertile, well-drained soil. Used in landscaping flower beds and border design. These bells look good in rock gardens and on rocky hills, in any composition. It creates a particularly amazing contrast of shape and color with poppies.

The plant is biennial. Perhaps there is not a single flower lover who would not be delighted by the beauty of these amazingly beautiful flowers, collected in pyramidal inflorescences. Very decorative plants with colorful flowers.

Growing does not require much effort. They are planted in mixborders, in groups in flower beds and in mixed plantings. The ridges will be decorated with their delicate flowers. Since these flowers have tall, spreading stems, they are best planted in an area protected from the wind.

General information about house bells

Houseplants already include varieties of Carpathian bellflower, such as Thorpedo with purple flowers, as well as its white-flowered variety Alba. And recently, the analogy of a bride and groom with densely double pink flowers has appeared on the flower market.

These new items are represented by the blue and white form of the hybrid bell, obtained by crossing the bells of the spoon-leaved and Carpathian bells, which are known as dwarf ground cover plants intended for open ground.

One should make a reservation about the compactness of the bells. Since almost all plants that go on sale in flower shops are treated with retardants, these are substances that slow down plant growth. As a result, the plants have the appearance of a fairly thick and dense turf, while forming their shoots with shortened internodes, and flowering occurs in a cap. At the end of the effect of the drug, the plant returns to its natural growth form, after which it becomes looser.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with this. Since the bride and groom grow, even without chemical treatment, like hanging plants. Terry bells have approximately the same appearance, which look very beautiful in hanging flowerpots. Flowering occurs very abundantly. And individual flowers last for about five to seven days, but if you take into account the entire flowering period as a whole, it lasts quite a long time, which occurs from June to August.

It is advisable to remove wilted flowers, as well as shoots that have already completed their flowering period. This simple technique gives the plant an incentive to form new buds, and also helps to prolong the flowering period.

Carpathian bell planting and care at home

When cultivated, the requirements of terry varieties are approximately the same as those of the bellflower. You need to choose a fairly bright place with sufficiently bright, but at the same time diffused sunlight. This variety tolerates only light shading; with a lack of lighting, the shoots of the bells are stretched, and the flowering of the plant is greatly deteriorated or stops altogether.

Plants should be watered regularly to maintain soil moisture and there should be good drainage. Even if the earthen clod dries out for a short time, the buds may dry out. Excessive moisture is also not advisable, as it often causes root rot. Also, terry bells do not tolerate very dry air, which causes the leaves to dry out at the edges.

Feeding Carpathian bellflower

The plant needs regular fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers for abundant flowering, which should be done every couple of weeks.

An important condition for these plants, in indoor conditions, is wintering with cool conditions at a sufficiently high level of lighting. A glazed loggia with a low, but still positive temperature is optimal.

Carpathian bell propagation by cuttings

If the bell has become elongated during the winter, then in the spring it can be cut very short. All cut stems can be used for cuttings. The plant is quite resistant to diseases and pests.

The interspecific hybrid of the bell is sterile, and for this reason cannot form seeds, so the plant is propagated only by vegetative means. The optimal time for this is spring. New plants can most easily be obtained by dividing a bush into several parts, or from stem cuttings with three to four internodes.

It should be taken into account that damaged bell tissue secretes milky juice; for this reason, the cuttings are first placed in water to release the juice, and only after that they are planted in a moist substrate consisting of sand and peat, perlite or vermiculite.

To create greenhouse conditions with high humidity, you can cover the cuttings with a plastic bag, after which they must be placed in a bright place, but without direct sunlight. Rooting will occur over a period of several weeks.

Garden bells are an absolutely inimitable family of touching perennial plants that never cease to charm gardeners with their modest simplicity and cheerful character. The bellflower has a huge number of both the largest and smallest species; they can easily decorate different corners of the garden from rock gardens and supporting walls to lush flower beds. Inimitable flowering is the main feature of all representatives of the genus. But even among the huge number of varieties and species, there are favorites. After all, not all bells combine hardiness and frost resistance with true abundance of flowers and ease of care.

Carpathian bluebell (Campanula carpatica). © Michael Steven

Let's take a closer look at the 3 best varieties of garden bells, different in character, but equally perfect.
Content:

Pozharsky's bell ( Campanula poscharskyana), variety ‘Silberregen’

This is the undisputed leader among modern hybrids of this species. For Campanula Pozharsky, the variety is truly unique, because it not only blooms tirelessly without the slightest stimulation in the form of pruning, from May to September, but is also distinguished by its amazing profusion of flowers. Its height is limited to 20 cm.

The unique sparkling silvery white of the charming small flowers is only enhanced by the fact that the plant's lush mats of dark greenery are literally hidden beneath the incredible number of blooms on this summer star. But the shape of the flower also deserves attention: thanks to the elongated, pointed lobes, each individual bell on the plant seems like a star, which only enhances the charm of the variety.

Pozharsky's bell, variety ‘Silberregen’. © AllgäuStauden

‘Silberregen’ is highly valued by both professionals and amateur gardeners around the world. This variety is rightfully considered one of the best abundantly flowering plants for decorating supporting walls, rockeries, rock gardens and gardens on a slope. And it is certainly the brightest white bell. For all its unearthly beauty, “Silberregen”, which looks like a scattering of silver, fully retains the advantages of its more modest brothers in terms of endurance, winter hardiness and durability.

Bellflower peach ( Campanula persicifolia), variety ‘Grandiflora Alba’

This snow-white bell is truly the leading variety of its species. It is distinguished by the perfect shape of its flowers, as if floating weightlessly on thin branched peduncles. The elegance and beauty of the lines of this perennial, whose height during flowering reaches 70 cm, and in favorable conditions even 1 m, is emphasized by a dark cushion of greenery at the base of the graceful shoots. The leaves are bright, graceful, with beautiful teeth along the edges.

The flowers are large, up to 5 cm in diameter, exemplary in shape, pure white in color. They are collected in graceful brushes and charmingly droop. The variety continues to bloom throughout the summer, from the beginning of June to the end of August.

Bluebell peach leaf variety ‘Grandiflora Alba’. © sadevalja

The variety “Grandiflora Alba” is considered truly royal, because the pure snow-white color of its elegant flowers creates one of the strongest effects of inner radiance in the garden palette. The number and beauty of blooming flowers create a shining veil, airy and weightless, over the flowerbeds and flower beds.

It is one of the most profusely flowering plants for complex arrangements, creating bright, solid splashes of color in summer. All he needs for a bright parade is loose loam and bright lighting.

Bluebell Carpathian ( Campanula carpatica), variety ‘Blaue Clips’

Of course, the best variety of Carpathian bellflower in terms of abundance of color and purely practical characteristics. The modest height of the plant, never exceeding 25 cm, is fully compensated by surprisingly large graceful flowers with a diameter of up to 3 cm with a beautiful transition from light to dark bright blue color. But even the size of the flowers cannot compete with their number: the green bell is almost invisible under the constantly blooming new flowers.

Their shape is charming: wide, cup-like, they sparkle with freshness and cheerful “eyes”. In addition, this variety blooms tirelessly from June to August, much longer than other Carpathian bells. The bell of this variety grows in the form of dense, compact hemispheres; the leaves are very bright, heart-shaped and pleasant to the touch.

Carpathian bluebell, variety ‘Blaue Clips’. © Ben Rushbrooke

One of the advantages of Blau Clips is its unpretentiousness. It will bloom profusely in both sun and partial shade and requires virtually no care. But the plant will be comfortable only on calcareous soils, which are loose and eliminate the risk of moisture stagnation.

Bluebell, or garden campanula, is a very beautiful and useful crop that can help in the fight against many diseases, including epilepsy in children. More than a hundred species of this representative of the flora are considered cultivated, and today the modest flower rightfully occupies its rightful place not only in the flowerbeds of summer cottages, but is also popular as a houseplant. The article is devoted to recommendations for breeding and growing various varieties of bluebell flowers from seeds and contains information about its most famous varieties.

Optimal conditions for growing bells in open ground

Campanula is a rather unpretentious plant of the dicotyledonous class., which does not require special care and can adapt to the environment. However, the attractive appearance of the inflorescences and the long duration of flowering are possible only by taking into account some of the characteristics of individual types of bells and by creating the most comfortable conditions for the culture.

The overwhelming majority of cultivated Campanula species love well-lit, open areas, although they also feel quite good in partial shade and can even bloom longer than in the sun.

When choosing a place for planting, it is necessary to take into account that the bell does not tolerate stagnant moisture, because the proximity of groundwater can lead to freezing in winter. Thus, lowlands with clay soil are definitely not suitable.

Features of growing bells (video)

Types of bellflower: botanical description

All types of bells can be divided into forest, meadow and mountain. Below are the most widely known varieties suitable for cultivation on the site.

Bellflower peach

Characteristic structural features of this type of campanula are a short, woody rhizome, a straight stem without leaves, an inflorescence with broadly lanceolate flowers, usually sky blue. Inside it is also divided into creeping, creeping, long and slightly descending. This variety blooms from summer until the onset of frost.

A compact cushion-shaped plant (height - up to 15 cm), forming dense thickets. It grows very quickly using its roots. The flowers are violet-blue or reddish-violet, and the heart-shaped leaves are round and serrated. The flowering period is June-August.

This graceful variety, developed in Northern Italy, features long (22-25 cm) creeping or cascading stems that are densely covered with greenery. From June to September it is decorated with delicate violet-blue or white flowers. The leaves of Campanula equifolia have a heart shape and a serrated edge; the central vein is pronounced.

The name of the species speaks for itself: it is a low bush with thin, flexible stems and dense foliage, during the flowering period strewn with double flowers of various shades, ranging from white to purple. Double bells were developed by crossing Sparrowleaf and Carpathian Campanula and are a variety of Campanula equifolia.

The stems of this type of campanula are straight, branched, with a large number of leaves; the plant itself is quite tall - 50-150 cm. The root system is taproot. The pleasantly smelling inflorescences are milky white in color, collected in large clusters, and each flower reaches a diameter of 4 cm.

Campanula latifolia

This tall perennial, more than a meter tall, is distinguished not only by its size, but also by its powerful branched root system. The leaves are large, serrated. This variety blooms with large racemose purple, blue or snow-white bells. The inflorescences combine perfectly with the dense greenery of the ovoid leaves. Tolerates lack of moisture and pest attacks well.

Another name for the variety is Pantaloons. Distinctive features of the variety: straight, pubescent stem up to 70 cm high, oval leaves, large inflorescences with drooping flowers (from 1 to 5) of various shades of white and blue. The root of the dotted bell is thin and fibrous. The main advantage of this variety is its long flowering period: from the beginning of summer until the onset of the first frost.

The species is popularly called “groom”; is a variety of Campanula equifolia. The shoots reach a length of 40 centimeters, the leaves are dark and fleecy. During the flowering period, the “groom” is decorated with bluish-lilac, fragile-looking five-leafed leaves.

A pretty bush-like plant native to the Alpine mountain belt, up to 30 cm in height and width. The leaves at the root are attached to long petioles, and the stem leaves are attached to short ones. Snow-white, blue or purple flowers of this species, single, funnel-shaped, reach 5 cm in diameter. Flowering period: June-August (up to seventy days), sometimes until the end of September. A number of garden varieties of Carpathian bellflower have been developed.

Other types and varieties of garden campanula

In addition to the above, there are also a huge number of varieties of bells. Here are some of them:

Bluebell crowded(C. glomerata). Another name for the variety is “Freya”. A herbaceous perennial with a woody rhizome and many erect, pubescent grayish-green stems. It reaches an average height of 25-50 cm. Densely grouped small purple flowers (15-20 pieces) form a very beautiful inflorescence. Freya blooms from the end of June for about a month.
Long-columnar bell(C. longistyla Fomin). Caucasian perennial, growing up to 75 cm in height. The stems of the variety are erect and branched, with abundant foliage. The basal leaves are shaped like a pointed egg. The inflorescence in the form of a brush or panicle is formed by several blue-purple bright flowers. Flowering occurs in July-August.

Bell Sarmatian(C. sarmatica) - originally from the Caucasus Mountains, takes root well on alpine hills. The height of the plant is up to 40 cm, the oblong leaves are pubescent, which is why they appear gray-green. Lilac flowers are distributed almost along the entire length of the shoot. Blooms from June to August.
Saxifrage(C. saxifraga). It is distinguished by large purple corollas with a white spot in the center, planted on low peduncles (10-15 centimeters). Early flowering: May-June.

Campanula nettlefolia(C. trachelium). The height can vary: from 30 cm to 1 m. The leaves look like nettles, they are heavily covered with hard hairs. The flowers are large; the corolla is either almost white or blue-violet. It blooms from June and then bears fruit until October. The Bernise variety (with double lilac-blue flowers) is popular in gardening.
Campanula pyramidal(C. pyramidalis), or “Girdle of Venus” is one of the most spectacular herbaceous plants. Tall, up to 1.5 m, with a thick fleshy stem, by mid-summer the giant begins to bloom: large corollas reaching 4.5 cm in diameter exude a pleasant aroma.

Poskharsky's bell(C. poscharskyana). A low-growing plant (15-20 cm) with long purple flowers that bloom in June-July. It grows quickly. A well-known variety is “Stella” (dark blue flowers).
Thyrsoid bell(C. thyrsoides L.) - mountain variety native to the Alps; reaches a height of 20-50 centimeters. The main feature is the flowers, which are unlike other types of bells: they are a thick, cylindrical spike, the color of which can vary from bright yellow to pale yellowish. This variety is often used for making bouquets.

Chilean bluebell(Lapageria) can hardly be called a bellflower. The fact is that Lapageria belongs to the family of Philesiaceae, not bellflowers. However, the pink flowers really resemble a bell in shape: hence the name and popularity among gardeners as an ornamental plant.
Bell Sarastro(C. hybrid Sarastro) - a hybrid variety with a straight, pubescent stem about half a meter high. The bright purple flowers are drooping and shaped like glasses.

Bluebell: growing in the garden (video)

Garden bell: growing from seeds, timing and planting technology

A good option would be to first grow seedlings at home, and then plant it in open ground. Annual bellflower species can only be bred in this way; the rest can be bred variably.

The house should be planted in March. The seeds must be sown on a small layer of snow previously placed on top of the soil. Then the seedling containers are sent to the refrigerator for a couple of weeks in plastic bags, and after the expiration of the period they are brought out into the light.

It is necessary to plant the sprouted bells in separate containers when each sprout already has two or three full leaves, and the ideal time for planting in open ground is late May and early June (or any time when the threat of frost has passed).

For the most successful planting, you must follow several rules:

The soil must be fertilized, loosened and drained. The exception to this rule applies only to species of rocky origin: such plants will take root well in poor soil that has been previously limed.
Either neutral or slightly acidic soil is preferred.
If there is no suitable site with fertile, mineral-rich soil, the following actions are recommended: sand should be added to the loam, as well as peat and some fertilizer (for example, superphosphate). Sandy soil needs humus, rotted compost and turf.
Fresh manure and peat can provoke the development of fungal diseases, so fertilizers of this kind should be used when they have weathered.
Almost immediately after planting the sprouts in open ground, it is recommended to treat the plants with products containing copper and metaldehyde. This will help avoid diseases, slug attacks and the appearance of “rust” on the leaves.

Features of caring for bells in open ground

Feeding bells is not a necessary condition to guarantee rapid growth of plantings. If the soil is fertile enough, you can do without it. Otherwise, Campanula should be fed with fertilizers high in phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium (for example, azofoska): 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per ten liters. However, it must be remembered that large doses can provoke the death of plants after 3-4 years, despite the lush and long flowering immediately after feeding. Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to sprinkle wood ash under the roots of plants.

Bluebells need watering only during the budding period; the rest of the time you can rely on their drought resistance. You should also ensure that the soil is loose and that weeds do not grow near the campanula.

As for the inflorescences, their beauty can be maintained by removing the flower stalks that have already faded. If it is necessary to control the growth of the crop, then when the “pods” - the fruits - ripen, they should be cut off before the pores open and the seeds end up in the soil.

Bells in the garden: choosing plants for joint planting

It’s not difficult to choose neighbors for bells: the main thing is to take into account similar conditions in which the plants will feel most comfortable. Since bells love neutral soil without excess moisture and sun (sometimes partial shade), partner crops must be selected accordingly.

For example, Carpathian campanula goes perfectly with Dalmatian geranium and sunflower. Good neighbors for the Portenschlag bell will be carnations and fescue. Partners for the crowded bellflower are alpine aster, evening primrose and parsley; however, you need to monitor the growth of this variety, since crowded campanula can drown out nearby plantings.

The healing properties of bell (video)

Growing bell flowers from seeds is an excellent solution for both the garden and the apartment, since this plant does not require special care and climatic conditions; and yet you should remember a few simple rules that will help campanula develop faster and delight the eye with flowering longer.

Flowers bells (lat. campanula) belong to the genus of herbaceous plants of the Bellflower family, which includes more than three hundred species growing in places with a temperate climate - in the Caucasus, Western and Central Asia, Europe, Siberia, and also in North America. Bells prefer steppes, meadows, forests, desert areas and rocks. Many species of these flowers grow in alpine and subalpine mountain belts. The Latin name is translated as bell. People call these flowers chenilles, chebotki and bells.

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Planting and caring for bells

Landing: sowing seeds in open ground - in October or May. Sowing seeds for seedlings - in March, planting seedlings in open ground - at the end of May or at the beginning of June.
Bloom: at different times - depending on the type and variety.
Lighting: usually bright sunlight. There are only a few shade-loving species in the genus.
The soil: any, even rocky and calcareous, but best drained loam with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction.
Watering: moderate and only in dry seasons.
Garter: tall varieties require support.
Feeding: on melted snow - with nitrogen fertilizer, during the budding period - with a complete mineral complex.
Reproduction: annuals - only by seeds, biennials - by seeds and spring cuttings. Perennials can be propagated by parts of the rhizome, root cuttings, stolons, or dividing the bush, but when propagated by seed they do not retain varietal characteristics.
Pests: slobbering pennies, slugs.
Diseases: fusarium, botrytis, sclerotinia.

Bell flowers - description

Most often there are perennial bells, less often - biennial and annual ones. The leaves of the bells are alternate, the bell-shaped flowers of blue, white and different shades of purple are collected in racemes or paniculate inflorescences. Sometimes single flowers are found. The fruit is a capsule with 4-6 slot-like holes. The bell plant can be short, medium or tall.

Growing bells from seeds

Sowing bluebells

Bluebell seeds do not require preliminary preparation before sowing. They can be sown directly into the ground in May or before winter in October. But if you want them to bloom this year, sow them as seedlings in March.

Since the seeds are very small, they are laid out on the surface of a light, loose, permeable substrate, previously well moistened and consisting of humus, turf soil and coarse sand in a ratio of 3:6:1. There is no need to add fertilizer to the substrate. The seeds are lightly pressed to the ground, sprayed with water from a spray bottle, and then the container is covered with film. Contain crops at a temperature of 18-20 ºC. Shoots may appear in two to three weeks.

Bluebell seedlings

As soon as the seeds begin to germinate, move the container to a bright place, protected from direct sunlight, remove the film and care for the bell seedlings as you would any other flower seedlings: water when the top layer of the substrate dries, loosen the soil around the seedlings, and when they turn three weeks and their first leaves will develop, the seedlings dive into a large container at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Two weeks after picking, feed the seedlings with liquid complex fertilizer in low concentration

Planting bells in open ground

When to plant bells in the ground

Bluebell seedlings are planted in open ground at the end of May or beginning of June. Most of the bells are light-loving, shade-loving species grown in cultivation are literally only a few, and they can be recognized by the dark green color of the leaves. The bell does not like drafts.

As for the soil, some species grow well on rocky soil, some on calcareous soil, but most species prefer neutral or slightly alkaline well-drained loamy soils. Planting bells in the soil is carried out after its preliminary preparation: for deep digging, sand and humus are added to heavy soils, and turf soil and fertilizers are added to poor soils. Do not apply only fresh manure and peat, as this increases the risk of fungal diseases affecting the plants.

How to plant bells in the ground

Bells are planted in open places, away from bushes and trees, so that their roots can receive the necessary amount of moisture and nutrition. Low-growing bells are planted at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other, medium-height bells at a distance of 20-30 cm, and tall ones at an interval of 40-50 cm. After planting, the soil around the flowers is trampled down and watered well.

Caring for bluebells in the garden

How to care for bluebells

Growing bells is no different from growing any other garden flowers - bells are unpretentious. Water them only when prolonged heat and dryness sets in. After watering, it is convenient to loosen the soil around the flowers and remove weeds. Tall bells are tied to a support as necessary. The bells are fed for the first time in the spring, on melted snow, with nitrogen fertilizer. The second fertilizing with complex fertilizer is carried out in the first half of summer, at the beginning of budding. To prolong the flowering of bluebells, promptly remove faded flowers.

Reproduction of bluebells

Annual bells are propagated by seeds, biennials by seeds and spring cuttings. Perennial bells can be propagated by root cuttings, parts of rhizomes, dividing the bush and stolons, since when propagated by seed they do not always retain varietal characteristics. Terry varieties of bells do not set seeds, so they are propagated exclusively by vegetative methods.

Perennial species of bells with a carpal or taproot system are considered vegetatively immobile and reproduce by seeds. Those species that have a short rhizome are considered vegetatively inactive - they are propagated by division and cuttings. Species with long creeping rhizomes, which reproduce both by seeds, division and cuttings, and by rhizome segments and root suckers, are considered vegetatively mobile.

We described the seedling method of propagation to you, but you can sow the seeds in mid-October directly into the ground, where they will undergo natural stratification during the winter months and sprout together in the spring, and all you have to do is plant the seedlings. You can sow seeds in the ground in May, but then they need to be stratified for two months in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, and since annual bells reproduce well by self-sowing, is it worth complicating your life by stratifying the seeds?

Cuttings of bells are harvested in the spring, in March-April - they are cut from young stem or root shoots, planted in a light, loose substrate and placed under a film dome to create high air humidity. It is best to use a greenhouse and a special fog sprayer for this purpose. Root regrowth of cuttings occurs within three to four weeks.

The division of the bush is carried out in the third to fifth year of the plant’s life, but some species can be divided already in the second year. At the beginning of May or at the end of summer, large bushes are dug up and, having cut the stems, divided into parts with a sharp sterile knife, each of which should have developed roots and renewal buds, after which the sections are treated with crushed coal and the sections are immediately planted in a permanent place.

When propagating by parts of the rhizome, the creeping root of the plant is dug up, divided into parts so that each segment contains renewal buds, and planted in the ground so that the buds are at the level of the soil surface.

Root suckers need to be separated from the mother plant and immediately planted in a permanent place.

Bellflower pests and diseases

Blooming bells look very cute, but this is not the only advantage of flowers. They are so unpretentious that planting and caring for a bell is a pleasure and does not require time or effort.

Bells are immune to diseases and pests and are very rarely affected by them, however, when flowers are grown for many years in one place, pathogenic microorganisms - Fusarium, Sclerotinia or Botrytis - accumulate in the soil, which can lead to the death of the plant. To prevent this from happening, treat the bells twice a season, in spring and autumn, with a 0.2 percent solution of Fundazol.

In wet weather, bells may appear slobbering penny, which is expelled by infusion of garlic. Low-growing bells can be damaged by slugs, from which the plants are sprayed with a decoction of hot pepper and superphosphate granules are scattered under the flowers.

Perennial bells after flowering

How and when to collect bluebell seeds

If you want to get seeds of your favorite species, then do not wait for the boxes to open; cut off the inflorescences left for the seeds in advance, as soon as the boxes acquire a brown tint, and ripen them in a ventilated, dry room.

Preparing bells for winter

Planting and caring for perennial bluebells is no different from growing annual or biennial varieties, except that they need to be prepared for winter. At the end of September or beginning of October, the stems of all bells are cut off at the root. This completes the care of annual flowers. As for biennial and perennial species, many of them overwinter without shelter, but southern species need to be covered with dry leaves or covered with spruce branches. Tall bells are covered with a layer of humus or dry peat 15-20 cm high. This will be enough for perennial bells to survive the winter.

Types and varieties of bells

Annual species of bells come from the southern regions, so they are not often grown in areas with a temperate or cool climate. The most famous of them:

Bluebell annual

A low-growing (up to 10 cm) plant native to the Caucasus, Balkans, Mediterranean and Asia Minor with a bright blue tubular corolla. Blooms from May to early autumn. Used for borders and rock gardens;

Dichotomous bell, or forked from the Western Caucasus. It reaches a height of 15-20 cm, has numerous light purple flowers and broadly ovate leaves;

Campanula Kashmiri grows in the Himalayas and Pamirs, reaching a height of only 6-8 cm. Its flowers are purple, small, up to 1.5 cm in length, but there are many of them and they bloom for a long time;

- Caucasian endemic, growing on gravelly soil and in rock cracks. This highly branched plant reaches half a meter in height; it blooms in May-July with paniculate inflorescences consisting of 50-60 pitcher-bell-shaped purple flowers up to 4 cm in diameter with a swollen base and a calyx with deflected sharp teeth;

Bell Mirror of Venus originally from the Mediterranean mountains, from Great Britain and Holland. This species has been known in culture since the end of the 16th century. The height of the bell, or leguzia, reaches from 15 to 30 cm. Saucer-shaped, blue with a lilac tint and a white center, the flowers up to 2 cm in diameter are collected in paniculate inflorescences, blooming from early summer to September. This species has varieties with white flowers.

Biennial bluebells

Presented in the following types:

Bluebell bearded– grows naturally in the subalpine zone of the Mediterranean. It reaches a height of 4 to 30 cm. Its flowers are drooping, goblet-bell-shaped, pale blue, up to 3 cm long. This species blooms in June-July. In culture since 1752;

Hoffman bell- from the Balkans and Adriatic. It is a heavily branched plant, 30 to 50 cm high, with a large number of large drooping white or cream-colored flowers that open in June-July;

Campanula thyrsus And bellflower– plants with spike-shaped inflorescences of funnel-shaped flowers of light yellow color in Campanula thyrsus and bright purple in Campanula spica;

Bluebell grows naturally in the Balkans, Europe and Asia Minor. The plant reaches a height of 70 to 120 cm. Its flowers with tubular pale purple corollas, collected in whorls of 6-7 pieces, open in June-July;

Medium bell grows naturally in southwestern Europe and Asia. In culture, this biennial is sometimes grown as an annual plant. It has an erect stem 50 to 100 cm high and goblet-bell-shaped white, blue or pinkish flowers, simple or double, up to 7 cm long, collected in pyramidal inflorescences. The species has been in culture since 1578;

Originally from Europe and Siberia. This is a densely pubescent plant, 70 to 100 cm high, with small blue sessile flowers, collected in inflorescences that are almost capitate at the top and whorled at the bottom.

In addition to those described, such biennial bells as Moesian, Siberian, divergent, spreading, pyramidal, laurel, Formaneca, spatulate, Sartori and orphanidea are known.

All other species belong to perennial bells, which in turn are divided into low-growing, medium-growing and tall-growing.

Low-growing species of perennial bells

– the most widespread cultivated species, native to the Carpathians and the mountains of Central Europe. It is a perennial up to 30 cm high with leafy stems, a basal rosette of ovate leaves on long petioles and ovate short-petioled stem leaves. The flowers of plants of this species are single, funnel-bell-shaped, blue, purple or white, up to 5 cm in diameter. They bloom from June for more than two months. The species has been in cultivation since 1770. The most famous garden forms of Carpathian bellflower:

Alba And White Star– varieties with white flowers;
Celestine And Isabelle– sky blue bells;
Centon Joy, Riverslea, Blaumeise– varieties with blue flowers;
Karpatenkrone– form with purple flowers;
Clip- a miniature plant up to 20 cm high with flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. Can be grown both in open ground and indoors;

Campanula garganica- a perennial up to 15 cm high with fragile creeping ascending stems, rounded three-toothed leaves and blue star-shaped flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. In culture since 1832. The best varieties of the species are:

Major– variety with pale blue flowers;
W.H. Paine– flowers of a light lavender hue with a white eye;

Spiral bell, or spoonleaf grows naturally in the Carpathians and Alps. The plant is miniature, up to 15 cm high. The stems are creeping. Drooping flowers of blue, blue or white color up to 1 cm in diameter are collected in small inflorescences. In culture since 1783. The most famous varieties:

Alba– white bell;
Loder– a variety with double blue flowers;
Miss Wilmott– variety with blue flowers;

- a miniature plant from the Far East with single violet-blue flowers up to 3 cm in diameter and up to 4 cm long with a shaggy corolla along the edge. There is a white-flowered form.

In addition to those described, such low-growing species of perennial bells are known as birch-leaved, hairy-fruited, turfy, saxifrage, Kemularia, daisy-leaved, single-flowered, Oshe, Ortana, warrior, border, Radde, Rainer, ciliated, dark, darkish, three-toothed and Uemura.

Medium-height perennial bells

are represented by the following types:

Bell Takeshima grows naturally in Korea and the Iranian Plateau. It is a perennial, reaching a height of 60 cm and forming groups of basal rosettes. Numerous stems of this species are creeping, creeping, and erect. Single or double flowers of blue, white or pink colors bloom in early summer. The best varieties:

Beautyful Trust– a variety with large white spider-shaped flowers;
Wedding Belz– variety with double white bell-shaped flowers;

Komarov's bell

– Caucasian endemic of amazing beauty, up to 45 cm high, with a branching stem and numerous large flowers of a bright light purple hue, up to 3 cm long, with sharp, turned-away lobes;

grows in the Far East and Siberia. Its thin fibrous stem reaches a height of 50 cm. Numerous hairy leaves in the basal region on reddish petioles, ovoid, lanceolate or acute. Large drooping, pubescent, goblet-bell-shaped flowers on long off-white pedicels are covered both outside and inside with purple dots. The best varieties:

Rubra– a variety with bright flowers;
Alba Nana– a variety with white flowers up to 20 cm high;

Bell Sarastro

A hybrid species of dotted bell with very bright purple flowers up to 7 cm long. The height of the bush reaches 60 cm, diameter – 45 cm.

In addition to those described, the medium-growing species include bells Tatra, polymorphic, rhomboidal, Moravian, flax-leaved, Spanish, wonderful, carnica, Marchesetti, round-leaved, perforated, kholmovoy, Turchaninova, Sarmatian, garlic-leaved, Grossec, pale ocher and hybrids Kent Belle and Pink Octupus .

Tall types of bells include

Campanula latifolia, which naturally grows in the Caucasus, Southern and Central Europe, Siberia, Asia Minor, the European part of Russia and Ukraine in deciduous, dark-coniferous and mixed forests and along river banks. It has a straight bare stem more than 1 m high, bare double-serrate leaves up to 12 cm long and up to 6 cm wide, and large axillary flowers forming a sparsely flowered narrow spike-shaped raceme. Funnel-shaped flowers up to 6 cm long, blue, white or light blue with slightly bent blades, bloom in June-August. This species has been in culture since 1576. The most famous varieties:

Alba– with white flowers;
Bruntwood– variety with purple flowers;
Makranta– variety with dark purple large flowers;

It grows in the Caucasus, Western Siberia, the European part of Russia, Ukraine and Western Europe. This plant is from 50 to 100 cm high with erect leafy stems, smooth and serrated leaves at the edges, similar to peach leaves, and wide, bell-shaped large flowers up to 5 cm long, white, blue or lilac-blue, collected several pieces in a panicle. This species has crown and double forms. Flowering begins in the second half of June and lasts more than a month. Bellflower has been in cultivation since 1554. The most famous varieties of the species:

Bernice– variety with blue double flowers;
Tetam Beauty– a variety with large light blue flowers;
Exmouth– a variety with dusty blue double flowers;
Snowdrift– a plant with white bells;
variety mixture New Giant Hybrids– plants up to 75 cm high with large flowers of white and all shades of blue;

Campanula lactiflora

It grows naturally in Asia Minor and the Caucasus. This plant is 50 to 150 cm tall with a tap root, which allows it to grow well in heavy loamy soil. Bell-shaped, milky-white flowers up to 4 cm in diameter are collected in a racemose inflorescence. They open in June and bloom until the end of summer. The species has been in culture since 1814. The main varieties of this species:

Cerulea– variety with blue flowers:

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