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Native alternative(s) for Campanula trachelium:
Campanula divaricata Campanula divaricata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Campanula americana Campanula americana
Phlox maculata Form in native habitat
Viola pubescens Form

Throatwort Bellflower Campanula trachelium

Phonetic Spelling
kam-pan-YOO-luh trak-EEL-ee-um
Description

The Nettle-Leaved Bellflower is a showy perennial that adds height and interest to beds and borders. Its native habitat is alkaline soils in woodland, scrubby grassland and hedgebanks of Europe. It has naturalized in NE USA and parts of Canada.

Grow this plant in fertile, moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade for best flower color. Afternoon shade is especially important in hot climates as it is a cool climate plant. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional bloom. Plants will spread in the garden by self-seeding.

Use this plant in mass in the border, naturalized area or edge of the woods.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bernice'
    Purple semi-double blooms
'Bernice'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#deciduous#shade garden#tubular flowers#cottage garden#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#border planting#hairy leaves#English garden#partial shade tolerant#perennial#bell-shaped flowers#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bernice'
    Purple semi-double blooms
'Bernice'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#deciduous#shade garden#tubular flowers#cottage garden#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#border planting#hairy leaves#English garden#partial shade tolerant#perennial#bell-shaped flowers#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Campanula
    Species:
    trachelium
    Family:
    Campanulaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Once used to treat a sore throat.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    England, Europe, northern Africa, Siberia
    Distribution:
    Canada, northeastern USA
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Round, hairy, nodding, capsule opening from the base.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Loose racemes of 1.5-inch open bell-shaped flowers with 5 fused petals in purple, blue or lilac. The petals have fine hairs. Blooms in summer from June- September.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Reniform
    Leaf Margin:
    Doubly Dentate
    Doubly Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are deeply toothed with bristly hairs. Basal leaves are ovate to reniform and stem leaves are ovate to ovate-lanceolate and are stalkless or nearly so.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Unbranching sharp-edged, square hairy stems are often reddish.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    English Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer