Campanula cervicaria
Campanula cervicaria · Campanulaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant campanula cervicaria: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Cervicaria Bellflower
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Type
- Biennial or short-lived perennial herbaceous plant
- Flowering
- June to August, violet to lilac flowers
- Adult size
- 60 to 100 cm in height
- Foliage
- Deciduous, medium green, slightly rough
- Hardiness
- Down to -15 °C, hardy
- Origin
- Central and southern Europe
Care
Light Exposure
Place your cervicaria bellflower in full sun or partial shade. It appreciates generous light for abundant flowering. Avoid overly shaded spots that would reduce flower production.
Soil and Medium
Well-draining, light, and slightly chalky soil is ideal. Enrich with compost or horticultural potting mix to promote growth. Avoid standing excess moisture that could rot the roots.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during growth and flowering, without waterlogging. During dry periods, water 2 to 3 times per week depending on climatic conditions. Reduce watering in winter.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced diluted fertilizer every 15 days from May to August to support flowering. A fertilizer slightly rich in potassium promotes more abundant blooms. Stop fertilizing in autumn and winter.
Pruning and Maintenance
Pinch young plants to encourage branching and a more compact shape. Remove faded flowers to extend the flowering season. At season's end, cut stems to ground level after frost.
Pests and Diseases
Watch for powdery mildew and leaf spots in humid conditions; provide regular airflow. Slugs and snails enjoy young leaves: install physical barriers if needed. Proper drainage reduces rotting risks.
Did you know?
The Campanula cervicaria owes its scientific name 'cervicaria' to the Latin word 'cervix' (neck), as its narrow tubular flowers resemble the shape of a collar or neck. Historically, bellflowers long symbolized humility and gratitude in Europe, and featured in monastic gardens during the Middle Ages.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Peach-leaved bellflowerCampanula persicifolia
- Clustered bellflowerCampanula glomerata
- Trailing bellflowerCampanula poscharskyana
- Dalmatian bellflowerCampanula portenschlagiana
- PānakenakeLobelia angulata
- Carpathian bellflowerCampanula carpatica
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.