How to Grow Campanula: 6 Helpful Tips

Wondering how to grow campanula? These flowers, also known as bellflower plants, are beautiful perennial flowers native to many regions. They thrive best in areas with moderate temperatures and cooler nights. Campanula flowers bloom the most in June and July, but some areas can enjoy these flowers well into October.

This article will help you understand how to grow campanula bellflowers, so you’ll be able to enjoy these flowers that can liven up any space.

How to Grow Campanula: 6 Helpful Tips

 

Caring for Campanulas

You don’t have to be a plant expert to take care of bellflowers. Like any other perennials, campanulas are hardy plants and they are tolerant of extreme weather changes.

Bellflowers need to be deadheaded to encourage more blooms and a longer growing season. During the winter season, you can also cut down the plant so it blooms in the spring. Some campanula varieties are invasive, so make sure to remove the seed heads before it could spread.

 

Most Popular Types of Campanulas

There are many different types of campanulas, but some of the common ones include the following:

 

Bluebells

This variant is one of the most common types of campanulas. You can find these beautiful little flowers in the highland fields in North America.

 

Dwarf Bellflowers

These flowers are best for container gardening. In the wild, you’ll commonly find them in crevasses and they only grow about three inches tall but can spread up to 16 inches wide.

 

American Bellflower

These types of bellflowers are very active seeders and if left unattended, they can be a nuisance. If kept in control, they’re beautiful flowers that can add to the beauty of your garden.

 

Carpathian Harebell

This campanula plant can grow up to a foot and they’re one of the most cold-hardy plants.

 

Tips to How to Grow Campanula Plants

If you’re planning to grow campanula plants in your yard or greenhouse, it’s important to know how to plant, grow, and care for them. Here are some of the tips you should remember when growing campanulas:

 

Tip #1: Plant them in well-draining soil

Plant your campanulas in aerated soil and place them where they can see partial to full sun. Your plants will produce more flowers if they receive at least eight hours of direct sunlight.

 

Tip #2: Watering and fertilizing

Your bellflowers will continue to bloom from late spring and last until the first frost happened in the fall. And as mentioned, they’re hardy plants that don’t require much maintenance. You only need to water them during dry periods and fertilize using an all-purpose garden food at least twice throughout the growing period.

 

Tip #3: Add mulch

After planting the campanulas, add three layers of mulch but make sure not to let it touch the plant because root rot may develop. Mulching can help preserve moisture, prevent weeds from developing, and help fertilize your plants.

 

Tip #4: Trim deadheads

As mentioned, deadheading your campanulas can help prolong the blooming period. Carefully trim down the plants using gardening shears.

 

Tip #5: Space them properly

You need to space your plants at least 15 to 20 inches apart because these sprawling plants need space to grow. Congested flowers can be divided during the spring or fall season. You can either cut your campanulas back during winter or you can let it overwinter.

 

Tip #5: Check for pests

You also need to check your plants for pest infestation. Look out for snails, aphids, and other insects that love to munch on your green leaves. Keep in mind that moisture attracts these pesky pests, so make sure not to overwater or try irrigating the soil.

 

Tip #6: Check for diseases

Lastly, be sure to check for signs of sickness and diseases. Powdery mildew is a common occurrence among campanulas. These are fuzzy, white coating that can be found on leaves and stems. Prune the affected areas or apply horticultural oil or fungicide.

 

Growing Campanulas in a Mini Greenhouse

There are many benefits to growing campanulas in a mini greenhouse. Here are some of the benefits of planting in mini-greenhouses:

 

Protect your plants from harmful insects

As mentioned, snails, rodents, aphids, and other insects would love to eat your produce. If your plants are exposed, they’re also more prone to infections and diseases. Planting them inside a mini greenhouse keeps them safe from diseases and insects that are detrimental to the growth of your plants.

 

Start planting early on

Regardless of the weather, you’ll be able to plant flowers and other plants at any time of the year. Having a greenhouse allows you to create an indoor microclimate that’s tailored to the needs of your plants. For example, you can grow warm-weather plants even when it’s cold outside with the help of heating systems, grow lights, or other natural remedies.

 

Protect plants from bad weather

Bad weather can damage even the hardiest of plants. One storm or prolonged drought can kill your plants. Keeping them inside a greenhouse protects them from frost, heavy rains, and drought.

 

The Bottom Line: How to Grow Campanula

Now that you know how to grow campanula, you’ll be able to enjoy wonderful flowers throughout the spring season. You can place them in containers or plant them directly into your garden.

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