Giant bellflower
Campanula latifolia · Campanulaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant giant bellflower: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to August
- Adult size
- 24 to 39 inches tall
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -4°F)
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Caucasus mountains
- Soil type
- Well-draining, fertile, slightly moist
Care
Watering
Keep the soil fresh and consistently moist during the growing season, especially in summer during dry spells. Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant. Avoid standing water which causes root rot.
Light Exposure
Place your bellflower in full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate intense heat better with light afternoon shade in hot regions. At least 4 to 5 hours of direct daily light will promote beautiful blooms.
Soil Preparation
Prepare rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Work in compost or well-rotted manure at planting time. A slightly moist loamy soil is ideal for this species which appreciates moderate moisture.
Pruning and Cleanup
Regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming. In late winter or early spring, cut back dead stems to ground level. This plant doesn't require heavy pruning, just sanitary cleanup.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer in spring to support growth. An additional feeding in early summer can extend flowering. Well-amended soil with organic matter may be sufficient without additional fertilizer.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for powdery mildew in warm, humid weather and rust in prolonged damp conditions. Snails and slugs enjoy tender spring foliage. Good drainage and air circulation prevent most fungal problems.
Did you know?
The broad-leaved bellflower owes its scientific name 'latifolia' to its remarkably wide leaves compared to other Campanula species. In alpine botany, this plant has long been a classic in rock gardens and European mountain gardens, where it blooms generously in subalpine meadows.
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.