Southern Rockbell Wahlenbergia marginata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Campanula agrestis
- Campanula indica
- Campanula marginata
- Description
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Southern rockbell is an herbaceous perennial native to Asia in the Campanulaceae family. The species name marginata means "marg(in)" in Latin or "border, edge" signifying where plant grows as it is commonly found along roadsides and disturbed areas.
The genus Wahlenbergia from the Swedish Naturalist who discovered the plant Goran (George) Wahlenberg (1780-1851).It is used in its native countries to treat skin eruptions.
In its native habitat, it can be found growing in wastelands, fields, slopes and streams as well as those noted above. It has become naturalized in the United States. In North Carolina, it has been identified in the Sandhills and southern Coastal Plains, however, its range is spreading to other areas. Locations where it becomes established include dry or sandy roadsides, fields, fallow fields, and as a yard weed. The habitat can include a single plant, to a stand of hundreds. Due to the plants small size, it is difficult to locate. Without the flowers blooming, it is easily overlooked.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Wahlenbergia
- Species:
- marginata
- Family:
- Campanulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Subtropical and tropical Asia
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits form as capsules and contain yellow-brown or brown seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 5 petaled star or bell shaped blue to lavender flowers atop thin stems with white centers bloom from March-November. They can bloom as a single flower or arranged as a cyme.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Sinuate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Most leaves are at the base of the plant, upper leaves are reduced sized linear shaped bracts.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- The erect-ascending stems are hairless or almost so. It can have a single stem or multiple.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
