Flowers bells (lat. campanula) belong to the genus of herbaceous plants of the Bellflower family, which includes more than three hundred species growing in places with a temperate climate - in the Caucasus, Western and Central Asia, Europe, Siberia, and also in North America. Bells prefer steppes, meadows, forests, desert areas and rocks. Many species of these flowers grow in alpine and subalpine mountain belts. The Latin name is translated as bell. People call these flowers chenilles, chebotki and bells.

Listen to the article

Planting and caring for bells

• Landing: sowing seeds in open ground - in October or May. Sowing seeds for seedlings - in March, planting seedlings in open ground - at the end of May or at the beginning of June.
• Bloom: at different times - depending on the type and variety.
• Lighting: usually bright sunlight. There are only a few shade-loving species in the genus.
• The soil: any, even rocky and calcareous, but best drained loam with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction.
• Watering: moderate and only in dry seasons.
• Garter: tall varieties require support.
• Feeding: on melted snow - with nitrogen fertilizer, during the budding period - with a complete mineral complex.
• Reproduction: annuals - only by seeds, biennials - by seeds and spring cuttings. Perennials can be propagated by parts of the rhizome, root cuttings, stolons, or dividing the bush, but when propagated by seed they do not retain varietal characteristics.
• Pests: slobbering pennies, slugs.
• Diseases: fusarium, botrytis, sclerotinia.

Read more about growing bells below.

Bell flowers - description

Most often there are perennial bells, less often - biennial and annual ones. The leaves of the bells are alternate, the bell-shaped flowers of blue, white and different shades of purple are collected in racemes or paniculate inflorescences. Sometimes single flowers are found. The fruit is a capsule with 4-6 slot-like holes. The bell plant can be short, medium or tall.

Growing bells from seeds

Sowing bluebells

Bluebell seeds do not require preliminary preparation before sowing. They can be sown directly into the ground in May or before winter in October. But if you want them to bloom this year, sow them as seedlings in March.

Since the seeds are very small, they are laid out on the surface of a light, loose, permeable substrate, previously well moistened and consisting of humus, turf soil and coarse sand in a ratio of 3:6:1. There is no need to add fertilizer to the substrate. The seeds are lightly pressed to the ground, sprayed with water from a spray bottle, and then the container is covered with film. Contain crops at a temperature of 18-20 ºC. Shoots may appear in two to three weeks.

Bluebell seedlings

As soon as the seeds begin to germinate, move the container to a bright place, protected from direct sunlight, remove the film and care for the bell seedlings as you would any other flower seedlings: water when the top layer of the substrate dries, loosen the soil around the seedlings, and when they turn three weeks and their first leaves will develop, the seedlings dive into a large container at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Two weeks after picking, feed the seedlings with liquid complex fertilizer in low concentration

Planting bells in open ground

When to plant bells in the ground

Bluebell seedlings are planted in open ground at the end of May or beginning of June. Most of the bells are light-loving, shade-loving species grown in cultivation are literally only a few, and they can be recognized by the dark green color of the leaves. The bell does not like drafts.

As for the soil, some species grow well on rocky soil, some on calcareous soil, but most species prefer neutral or slightly alkaline well-drained loamy soils. Planting bells in the soil is carried out after its preliminary preparation: for deep digging, sand and humus are added to heavy soils, and turf soil and fertilizers are added to poor soils. Do not apply only fresh manure and peat, as this increases the risk of fungal diseases affecting the plants.

How to plant bells in the ground

Bells are planted in open places, away from bushes and trees, so that their roots can receive the necessary amount of moisture and nutrition. Low-growing bells are planted at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other, medium-height bells at a distance of 20-30 cm, and tall ones at an interval of 40-50 cm. After planting, the soil around the flowers is trampled down and watered well.

Caring for bluebells in the garden

How to care for bluebells

Growing bells is no different from growing any other garden flowers - bells are unpretentious. Water them only when prolonged heat and dryness sets in. After watering, it is convenient to loosen the soil around the flowers and remove weeds. Tall bells are tied to a support as necessary. The bells are fed for the first time in the spring, on melted snow, with nitrogen fertilizer. The second fertilizing with complex fertilizer is carried out in the first half of summer, at the beginning of budding. To prolong the flowering of bluebells, promptly remove faded flowers.

Reproduction of bluebells

Annual bells are propagated by seeds, biennials by seeds and spring cuttings. Perennial bells can be propagated by root cuttings, parts of rhizomes, dividing the bush and stolons, since when propagated by seed they do not always retain varietal characteristics. Terry varieties of bells do not set seeds, so they are propagated exclusively by vegetative methods.

Perennial species of bells with a carpal or taproot system are considered vegetatively immobile and reproduce by seeds. Those species that have a short rhizome are considered vegetatively inactive - they are propagated by division and cuttings. Species with long creeping rhizomes, which reproduce both by seeds, division and cuttings, and by rhizome segments and root suckers, are considered vegetatively mobile.

We described the seedling method of propagation to you, but you can sow the seeds in mid-October directly into the ground, where they will undergo natural stratification during the winter months and sprout together in the spring, and all you have to do is plant the seedlings. You can sow seeds in the ground in May, but then they need to be stratified for two months in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, and since annual bells reproduce well by self-sowing, is it worth complicating your life by stratifying the seeds?

Cuttings of bells are harvested in the spring, in March-April - they are cut from young stem or root shoots, planted in a light, loose substrate and placed under a film dome to create high air humidity. It is best to use a greenhouse and a special fog sprayer for this purpose. Root regrowth of cuttings occurs within three to four weeks.

The division of the bush is carried out in the third to fifth year of the plant’s life, but some species can be divided already in the second year. At the beginning of May or at the end of summer, large bushes are dug up and, having cut the stems, divided into parts with a sharp sterile knife, each of which should have developed roots and renewal buds, after which the sections are treated with crushed coal and the sections are immediately planted in a permanent place.

When propagating by parts of the rhizome, the creeping root of the plant is dug up, divided into parts so that each segment contains renewal buds, and planted in the ground so that the buds are at the level of the soil surface.

Root suckers need to be separated from the mother plant and immediately planted in a permanent place.

Bellflower pests and diseases

Blooming bells look very cute, but this is not the only advantage of flowers. They are so unpretentious that planting and caring for a bell is a pleasure and does not require time or effort.

Bells are immune to diseases and pests and are very rarely affected by them, however, when flowers are grown for many years in one place, pathogenic microorganisms - Fusarium, Sclerotinia or Botrytis - accumulate in the soil, which can lead to the death of the plant. To prevent this from happening, treat the bells twice a season, in spring and autumn, with a 0.2 percent solution of Fundazol.

In wet weather, bells may appear slobbering penny, which is expelled by infusion of garlic. Low-growing bells can be damaged by slugs, from which the plants are sprayed with a decoction of hot pepper and superphosphate granules are scattered under the flowers.

Perennial bells after flowering

How and when to collect bluebell seeds

If you want to get seeds of your favorite species, then do not wait for the boxes to open; cut off the inflorescences left for the seeds in advance, as soon as the boxes acquire a brown tint, and ripen them in a ventilated, dry room.

Preparing bells for winter

Planting and caring for perennial bluebells is no different from growing annual or biennial varieties, except that they need to be prepared for winter. At the end of September or beginning of October, the stems of all bells are cut off at the root. This completes the care of annual flowers. As for biennial and perennial species, many of them overwinter without shelter, but southern species need to be covered with dry leaves or covered with spruce branches. Tall bells are covered with a layer of humus or dry peat 15-20 cm high. This will be enough for perennial bells to survive the winter.

Types and varieties of bells

Annual species of bells come from the southern regions, so they are not often grown in areas with a temperate or cool climate. The most famous of them:

Bluebell annual

A low-growing (up to 10 cm) plant native to the Caucasus, Balkans, Mediterranean and Asia Minor with a bright blue tubular corolla. Blooms from May to early autumn. Used for borders and rock gardens;

Dichotomous bell, or forked from the Western Caucasus. It reaches a height of 15-20 cm, has numerous light purple flowers and broadly ovate leaves;

Campanula Kashmiri grows in the Himalayas and Pamirs, reaching a height of only 6-8 cm. Its flowers are purple, small, up to 1.5 cm in length, but there are many of them and they bloom for a long time;

- Caucasian endemic, growing on gravelly soil and in rock cracks. This highly branched plant reaches half a meter in height; it blooms in May-July with paniculate inflorescences consisting of 50-60 pitcher-bell-shaped purple flowers up to 4 cm in diameter with a swollen base and a calyx with deflected sharp teeth;

Bell Mirror of Venus originally from the Mediterranean mountains, from Great Britain and Holland. This species has been known in culture since the end of the 16th century. The height of the bell, or leguzia, reaches from 15 to 30 cm. Saucer-shaped, blue with a lilac tint and a white center, the flowers up to 2 cm in diameter are collected in paniculate inflorescences, blooming from early summer to September. This species has varieties with white flowers.

Biennial bluebells

Presented in the following types:

Bluebell bearded– grows naturally in the subalpine zone of the Mediterranean. It reaches a height of 4 to 30 cm. Its flowers are drooping, goblet-bell-shaped, pale blue, up to 3 cm long. This species blooms in June-July. In culture since 1752;

Hoffman bell- from the Balkans and Adriatic. It is a heavily branched plant, 30 to 50 cm high, with a large number of large drooping white or cream-colored flowers that open in June-July;

Campanula thyrsus And bellflower– plants with spike-shaped inflorescences of funnel-shaped flowers of light yellow color in Campanula thyrsus and bright purple in Campanula spica;

Bluebell grows naturally in the Balkans, Europe and Asia Minor. The plant reaches a height of 70 to 120 cm. Its flowers with tubular pale purple corollas, collected in whorls of 6-7 pieces, open in June-July;

Medium bell grows naturally in southwestern Europe and Asia. In culture, this biennial is sometimes grown as an annual plant. It has an erect stem 50 to 100 cm high and goblet-bell-shaped white, blue or pinkish flowers, simple or double, up to 7 cm long, collected in pyramidal inflorescences. The species has been in culture since 1578;

Originally from Europe and Siberia. This is a densely pubescent plant, 70 to 100 cm high, with small blue sessile flowers, collected in inflorescences that are almost capitate at the top and whorled at the bottom.

In addition to those described, such biennial bells as Moesian, Siberian, divergent, spreading, pyramidal, laurel, Formaneca, spatulate, Sartori and orphanidea are known.

All other species belong to perennial bells, which in turn are divided into low-growing, medium-growing and tall-growing.

Low-growing species of perennial bells

– the most widespread cultivated species, native to the Carpathians and the mountains of Central Europe. It is a perennial up to 30 cm high with leafy stems, a basal rosette of ovate leaves on long petioles and ovate short-petioled stem leaves. The flowers of plants of this species are single, funnel-bell-shaped, blue, purple or white, up to 5 cm in diameter. They bloom from June for more than two months. The species has been in cultivation since 1770. The most famous garden forms of Carpathian bellflower:

• Alba And White Star– varieties with white flowers;
• Celestine And Isabelle– sky blue bells;
• Centon Joy, Riverslea, Blaumeise– varieties with blue flowers;
• Karpatenkrone– form with purple flowers;
• Clip- a miniature plant up to 20 cm high with flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. Can be grown both in open ground and indoors;

Campanula garganica- a perennial up to 15 cm high with fragile creeping ascending stems, rounded three-toothed leaves and blue star-shaped flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. In culture since 1832. The best varieties of the species are:

• Major– variety with pale blue flowers;
• W.H. Paine– flowers of a light lavender hue with a white eye;

Spiral bell, or spoonleaf grows naturally in the Carpathians and Alps. The plant is miniature, up to 15 cm high. The stems are creeping. Drooping flowers of blue, blue or white color up to 1 cm in diameter are collected in small inflorescences. In culture since 1783. The most famous varieties:

• Alba– white bell;
• Loder– a variety with double blue flowers;
• Miss Wilmott– variety with blue flowers;

- a miniature plant from the Far East with single violet-blue flowers up to 3 cm in diameter and up to 4 cm long with a shaggy corolla along the edge. There is a white-flowered form.

In addition to those described, such low-growing species of perennial bells are known as birch-leaved, hairy-fruited, turfy, saxifrage, Kemularia, daisy-leaved, single-flowered, Oshe, Ortana, warrior, border, Radde, Rainer, ciliated, dark, darkish, three-toothed and Uemura.

Medium-height perennial bells

are represented by the following types:

Bell Takeshima grows naturally in Korea and the Iranian Plateau. It is a perennial, reaching a height of 60 cm and forming groups of basal rosettes. Numerous stems of this species are creeping, creeping, and erect. Single or double flowers of blue, white or pink colors bloom in early summer. The best varieties:

• Beautyful Trust– a variety with large white spider-shaped flowers;
• Wedding Belz– variety with double white bell-shaped flowers;

Komarov's bell

– Caucasian endemic of amazing beauty, up to 45 cm high, with a branching stem and numerous large flowers of a bright light purple hue, up to 3 cm long, with sharp, turned-away lobes;

grows in the Far East and Siberia. Its thin fibrous stem reaches a height of 50 cm. Numerous hairy leaves in the basal region on reddish petioles, ovoid, lanceolate or acute. Large drooping, pubescent, goblet-bell-shaped flowers on long off-white pedicels are covered both outside and inside with purple dots. The best varieties:

• Rubra– a variety with bright flowers;
• Alba Nana– a variety with white flowers up to 20 cm high;

Bell Sarastro

A hybrid species of dotted bell with very bright purple flowers up to 7 cm long. The height of the bush reaches 60 cm, diameter – 45 cm.

In addition to those described, the medium-growing species include bells Tatra, polymorphic, rhomboidal, Moravian, flax-leaved, Spanish, wonderful, carnica, Marchesetti, round-leaved, perforated, kholmovoy, Turchaninova, Sarmatian, garlic-leaved, Grossec, pale ocher and hybrids Kent Belle and Pink Octupus .

Tall types of bells include

Campanula latifolia, which naturally grows in the Caucasus, Southern and Central Europe, Siberia, Asia Minor, the European part of Russia and Ukraine in deciduous, dark-coniferous and mixed forests and along river banks. It has a straight bare stem more than 1 m high, bare double-serrate leaves up to 12 cm long and up to 6 cm wide, and large axillary flowers forming a sparsely flowered narrow spike-shaped raceme. Funnel-shaped flowers up to 6 cm long, blue, white or light blue with slightly bent blades, bloom in June-August. This species has been in culture since 1576. The most famous varieties:

• Alba– with white flowers;
• Bruntwood– variety with purple flowers;
• Makranta– variety with dark purple large flowers;

It grows in the Caucasus, Western Siberia, the European part of Russia, Ukraine and Western Europe. This plant is from 50 to 100 cm high with erect leafy stems, smooth and serrated leaves at the edges, similar to peach leaves, and wide, bell-shaped large flowers up to 5 cm long, white, blue or lilac-blue, collected several pieces in a panicle. This species has crown and double forms. Flowering begins in the second half of June and lasts more than a month. Bellflower has been in cultivation since 1554. The most famous varieties of the species:

• Bernice– variety with blue double flowers;
• Tetam Beauty– a variety with large light blue flowers;
• Exmouth– a variety with dusty blue double flowers;
• Snowdrift– a plant with white bells;
• variety mixture New Giant Hybrids– plants up to 75 cm high with large flowers of white and all shades of blue;

Campanula lactiflora

It grows naturally in Asia Minor and the Caucasus. This plant is 50 to 150 cm tall with a tap root, which allows it to grow well in heavy loamy soil. Bell-shaped, milky-white flowers up to 4 cm in diameter are collected in a racemose inflorescence. They open in June and bloom until the end of summer. The species has been in culture since 1814. The main varieties of this species:

• Cerulea– variety with blue flowers:
Plants on K

After this article they usually read

The flowers, familiar to everyone since childhood, owe their name to their external similarity to miniature bells. Even in Latin they are officially called “Campanula” - bell. We also often affectionately call them bells, chenilles, and chebotki. Like many flowers, they are sung in beautiful legends.

According to one of them, the first church bell was created in the image of this delicate, fragile gift of nature. It was after their quiet ringing was heard after the wind blew that the priest ordered a copper mold to be cast for the temple in the image and likeness of a flower. Even today there is a belief that their quiet crystal ringing can be heard on Ivan Kupala. Another legend tells about the growth of bells on the site of the scattered fragments of the mirror of the goddess Venus.

Many peoples perceive the bell as a good talisman, capable of driving away all evil spirits with its ringing. It is considered a symbol of faith, joy, openness, increase in wisdom, and harmony between Man and Heaven.

There is a sign that bells dream of good news, good changes in your personal life, and a warning against rash actions. And the enthusiastic praise of this flower by poets and artists deserves a separate discussion.

The desire to get an armful of bells is indomitable, but the picked bells quickly fade... In order to admire them for a long time, it is better to grow them in nature or in your apartment. We invite you to get acquainted with the characteristics of flowers and methods of growing them more specifically.

Description of the flower

The bellflower family of the herbaceous genus has more than 300 species. They grow in the temperate climates of Europe, Asia, the Caucasus, Siberia, and North America. They can be seen in the steppes, meadows, mountains, on rocks, and desert areas.

The shape of flowers up to 7 cm long resembles inverted glasses, bells with edges that curve outward. Their surface can be smooth or terry with a variety of colors (white, blue, purple, pink).

Along with racemose, paniculate inflorescences, there are also solitary flowers. Their ripe fruits look like a box with up to 6 slot-like holes.

Until recently, most bluebells were garden flowers, with the exception of indoor even-leaved flowers. Their varieties Alba and Mayi with white and light blue flowers are called bride and groom.

However, today other low-growing, compact terry plants have appeared, which are grown not only in open ground, but also indoors.

They are divided into a significant number of species and subspecies, hybrids. The main criteria for classification as a particular species or variety are the height and timing of growth of these flowers.

Due to the different heights of straight, stiff-haired stems with alternate leaves and bell-shaped flowers, the following types are distinguished:

• short (from 6 to 20 cm)
• medium height (up to 1 m)
• tall (more than 1 m).

Along with these characteristics, the entire number of flowers is divided, first of all, according to the timing of their growth: one- and two-year-old, perennial. To choose the right option among the many varieties of Campanula, let's look at the most popular of them among our gardeners.

1. Annuals bells came to us from the southern regions. In places with cool and temperate climates they are less common.

Among them there are plants of both low and medium height. Here the most popular plant is the eponymous bellflower, low-growing, forked (dichotomous), Kashmiri. Due to their small growth, the flowers look great near borders and on rock gardens.

The short guy never tires of winning over his fans California bluebell(Phacelia bell-shaped) with dark shades of flowers. It is cultivated mainly for decorating slides, borders, container groups, etc.

Medium-growing summer varieties are also very popular in our area: long-columnar and, as if in memory of an ancient legend, the Mirror of Venus. Despite their short lifespan, their numerous flowers from May to early autumn delight with their various colors.

1. Two-year-olds The most common flowers are “natives” from the subalpine zone of the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, Asia Minor and even Siberia. Having grown up in their native climate, they take root well in our country under similar conditions. These include low-growing bearded bluebells.

Among the medium-growing ones, Campanula Medium (medium) can be called a favorite. It has been known since the end of the 16th century and is prone to natural renewal, which is why it is sometimes grown as a perennial option.

Campanula medium Campanula medium

This species has several varieties, where it enjoys special sympathy among many gardeners. Cup and saucer.

This plant is interesting for its flowers like a cup with gracefully curved edges and a thin porcelain saucer. The beauty is collected in a large inflorescence, which can accommodate about 50 bells with a diameter of up to 8 cm and a wide color palette.

Along with them, varieties of coarse-haired, Hoffman, thyrsus-shaped, and spicate bells are also popular. In many gardens, such biennials are grown as: Siberian, Moesian, laurel, spatulate, divergent, spreading, pyramidal, Sartori, Formateca, etc.

1. Perennial species are found much more often than those growing for 1-2 years. They are also divided into subgroups depending on the height of the plant.

Among short species, the leader in prevalence is occupied by the Carpathian bell, born in the mountains of Central Europe. It has been known in floriculture for about 250 years. The plant barely reaches 30 cm and has stems with densely arranged leaves. However, it is short-lived, because it lives in one place for no more than three years.

Its most famous garden forms are Alba and White Star with snow-white single funnel-shaped flowers. These are also Isabel, Celestina, Blaumeize, Riverslea, Centon Joy, Karpatenkrone with sky blue, blue, purple flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm. And if these varieties are more adapted to open spaces, then the miniature Klip can also be grown as an indoor crop.

Popular low-growing bells also include varieties Gargan, spiral-leaved (spoon-leaved), birch-leaved, daisy-leaved, Ortana, Radde, three-toothed, Shamisso, Uemura and many others.

Medium height perennials are represented by Takeshima and Komarov bells, dotted with numerous stems, simple and double flowers of various colors and sizes. Here the best varieties are considered to be Beautyful Trust, Wedding Bells, Alba-nana, Rubra.

BELL TAKESHIMA "Beautiful Trust"

It is worth paying attention to the hardy Platycodon, which is often called broadleaf. It is notable for its luxurious double large flowers of various colors. Its best varieties are Album, Nanum, Marisil, Pleno Alba and a number of others.

Among this subgroup, the most popular medium bell with double flowers should again be mentioned. It is very unpretentious, cold-resistant, but loves bright places with moist soil. Its lifespan can be long due to self-seeding (natural renewal). In warm regions, Campanula Medium opens its buds even in the first year of planting seeds.

Tall perennials grow in their natural environment along river banks and in the forests of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Siberia, and Asia Minor. Varieties have been bred in the culture, the names of which indicate the characteristics of the leaves.

They differ not only in the height of the stem, but in the richer aroma of the flowers. Some names focus attention on the color of the flower, for example, milky (Cerulea, Pritchard Verajeti).

This category also includes noble-flowered, Bolognese, nettle-leaved with double flowers, crowded, rapunzel-shaped bells. Along with them, peach leaves are very popular (Bernice, Tetham Beauty, Exmouth, Snowdrift, New Giant Hybrids).

This far from complete review allows you to get an idea of ​​the wide selection of bells for growing on your property, balcony, or room.

Growing from seeds

This method is the most universal, and the only one for annual bells. It can also be successfully used for biennials and perennials, except for varieties with double flowers. The exclusion of the latter is explained by the fact that the seedlings are not able to retain these characteristics or the seeds may not set.

Preparing seeds and soil does not involve the use of complex agricultural techniques. Bell seeds do not require preliminary preparation for sowing. Regarding the soil, some plant varieties are well adapted to calcareous, rocky places. However, most varieties of bluebells are suitable for neutral/slightly alkaline soil, well-drained loam.

Preparing the soil chosen for planting flowers involves deep digging. For heavy soil, sand or humus is added, and depleted areas are enriched with humus and fertilizers. At the same time, in order to avoid the risk of fungal diseases, you should not use fresh peat or manure that has not completely rotted.

Using the seed method for growing seedlings allows you to see flowers already in the first year after planting.

• To do this, small seeds are sown in containers with soil prepared in advance from March.
• At the same time, they are lightly pressed with the palm of your hand, and not sprinkled with earth.
• The substrate must be light, loose, permeable and pre-moistened.
• This is achieved by mixing turf soil, humus coarse sand in a ratio of 6x3x1.

After sowing, the contents of the container are sprayed with water, covered with film and placed in a warm place up to +20 ºC. After 15-20 days, shoots appear, seedlings are transferred to a place where direct rays of the sun do not reach.

Here, traditional care for seedlings of many flowers is carried out without covering with film. This is watering when the top layer of the substrate dries, careful loosening around the young shoots.

When the first true leaves appear, after 20-24 days, diving is carried out into separate containers at a distance of at least 10 cm. After this, after 2 weeks, the shoots should be fed with a liquid, weakly concentrated complex fertilizer.

Sowing seeds directly into open ground is done before winter in the 2nd half of October or in spring (end of May). When sowing in autumn, the natural selection of full-fledged seeds will take place in the winter, and the strongest of them will sprout together in the spring. These seedlings can be used for planting in the chosen location.

May sowing requires stratification lasting 2 months. However, this somewhat lengthens the path from seed germination to flowering plants.

It should be taken into account that bells sown in this way are used for the first year to develop roots and leaf rosettes. Only in the second year of life do they grow shoots with flower ovaries.

Grown seedlings are planted in open ground from the end of May to the end of the first ten days of June. When choosing a location on a site, you should give preference to light or slightly shaded areas without drafts. It is advisable to place the bells away from trees and bushes to obtain sufficient nutrition and moisture.

When planting low-growing seedlings, the distance between flowers should be up to 15 cm, medium-growing - up to 30 cm, tall - up to 50 cm. Upon completion of planting, the soil near future bells is carefully compacted and well moistened.

To preserve moisture and prevent the appearance of weeds, the row spaces can be mulched. Gardeners note that thanks to seedlings, you can admire flowers already in the first year of their earthly life.

Bell Raspberry ringing

One of the attractive qualities of bluebells is their ease of care. It consists of regular watering during hot weather, further loosening the soil around the flowers, and removing weeds. Tall varieties will need staking or securing to supports.

• Fertilizing is carried out in the spring with nitrogen fertilizer to increase the vegetative mass and earlier flowering.
• During budding in early summer, phosphorus or complex additives are needed.
• In autumn, potassium fertilizers are applied to increase the winter hardiness of the plant.
• If a particular variety prefers the soil to an alkaline, neutral reaction, it is important to reduce the existing acidity with the help of ash.
• In summer, moderate application of rotted humus is suitable.

In order to extend the flowering time, it is necessary to remove fading inflorescences. At the same time, all faded shoots of tall varieties are cut off. If you plan to collect seeds, then browned, but not yet opened, boxes are left on the plant.

How to collect seeds

For long-term cultivation of your favorite bells, seeds are collected from mid-August to the end of September. It is noteworthy that 1 g contains up to 5,000 small, light seeds.

Harvesting begins after the boxes turn brown and are about to open. Pre-cut inflorescences should be placed on thick paper or canvas in a dry, well-ventilated room.

Clean the crumbled seeds from the remains of bolls and dried leaves, and then use them for growing seedlings or in open ground.

In case of delay in timely collection, they are allowed to fall on the ground. Due to self-seeding, the cycle of seed convergence will be repeated without additional stratification and all the processes of growing bells.

Among the many advantages of bells is their resistance to pests and diseases. These undesirable phenomena can occur when flowers are grown in one place for a long time. Indeed, in this case, the soil accumulates various harmful microorganisms.

And their constant presence in contact with plants provokes disastrous consequences for them. Treatment of flowers with a weak solution of Fundazol helps to avoid such negative phenomena.

Excessive humidity can favor the appearance of slugs. Here, an effective means of control can be spraying the plants with a decoction of hot pepper or superphosphate granules sprinkled between the flowers.

Along with the seed seedling method, there are other options, the use of which depends on the biological characteristics of the variety and plant type. So, if one-year-old bells reproduce by seeds, then two-year-old bells prefer vegetative ones (by seeds and cuttings).

Species of perennials with taproot and carpal root systems are considered vegetatively immobile and can reproduce by their seeds. Plants with creeping long roots, classified as vegetatively mobile species, tolerate all these methods + bush division well.

However, it is better to propagate perennial flowers:

• parts of rhizomes,
• root cuttings,
• stolons,
• dividing the bush.

Despite the possibility of seed reproduction, these species lose their generic characteristics. This is especially reflected in double varieties, which even lose their ability to produce seeds.

With the vegetative method, cuttings are prepared in the spring. From early March to mid-April, they are cut from young basal or stem shoots. Then they are planted in a loose substrate and placed in microgreenhouses, under a film to maintain optimal humidity. Within a month, the cuttings begin to grow roots, after the development of which, you can begin planting the plant.

The use of propagation by dividing the bush is permissible after 2-3 years of plant life. To do this, in May-June, a large bush is selected, dug up, and the above-ground stems are cut off.

Dividing the bush into parts is carried out with a sterile, sharp garden knife. Each part must contain developed healthy roots and renewal buds. The cutting areas of each cutting are treated with crushed coal or ash, and then immediately planted in abundantly watered soil.

When propagating the rhizome in parts, only the creeping part is dug up, from which cuttings from the mother plant with renewal buds are made. They are planted in the ground with an open bud above the soil surface.

Bluebells bloom twice: video

Thanks to the varieties of flowers, their growth, and multicoloredness, these plants provide a wide field for imagination when decorating the landscape. They can be used as spectacular accents on lawns, flower beds, and edgings. Bells are indispensable when creating constantly blooming compositions.

The bell is suitable for both flower beds with perennial flowers and well-groomed green lawns. In landscape-type compositions, it perfectly coexists not only with its “brothers” - bells, but also with other flowers. These are spectacular roses, colorful phlox, unique adenophora and gypsophila.

Due to the long-lasting decorativeness of flowering, it looks organically with common cosmos, hollyhocks, calendula, carnations, black-browns, ferns, hosta, etc.

The harmony of flowers from different varieties, species with each other, and other representatives of the fauna deserves special consideration. The main thing is that the bell allows every gardener to show their talents as a landscape designer.

Garden bells, Platycodon: video

The bell flower blooms attractively and for a long time, thanks to which it has become widespread in garden cultivation. Despite their rather simple structure, any bell-like flowers are actively used in landscape decoration.

Bellflower: what the flower looks like and its botanical description

The Latin name is Campanula. Belongs to the genus of herbaceous plants and the family Campanulaceae from the dicotyledonous class. Under natural conditions it grows in the Caucasus and Siberia, Asia and Europe. Information on the habitat is very extensive, as is the distribution area.

Field and meadow species are distributed almost everywhere in our country. The plant also inhabits alpine, desert and rocky areas, as well as mountain belts. Perennial herbs have entire alternate leaves, as well as a bell-shaped blue or purple corolla. Some varieties bloom producing purple or white flowers. The seeds are formed in a box-shaped fruit.

Description of popular types of bells (perennial garden campanula)

In total, today there are about four hundred different species, which may differ slightly in their main external characteristics. However, the most popular indoor and garden crops are not so numerous.

The ampelous culture has thin shoots, rounded and finely toothed leaves. The base of the shoot is heart-shaped. Flowers of light blue color are formed in spring or summer.

Photo gallery

Bellflower peach

Campanula persicifolia is a herbaceous perennial with a spindle-shaped, oblique, fibrous root and an erect, simple, sparsely branched, glabrous, slightly ribbed stem part. The foliage is alternate, narrow, linear or lanceolate, dark green and shiny. Blue, blue-violet or light purple flowers are located on short stalks and collected in a one-sided apical inflorescence. The period of mass flowering occurs in mid-summer.

A herbaceous plant no more than 25-30 cm high, with thin and hanging shoots. Most often it is grown as an ampel crop in pots. The foliage is green, round in shape, slightly carved at the edges, located on long cuttings. The flowers are numerous, up to 40 mm in diameter, white and blue.

Campanula latifolia

Campanula latifolia is a herbaceous crop up to 1.2 in height with a powerful and well-developed rhizome and spindle-shaped thickened lateral roots. The stem part is bare, cylindrical, with oblong-ovate foliage, characterized by sparse and soft, bilateral pubescence. Racemose inflorescences are represented by large, purple flowers. After flowering, capsule fruits with ovoid light brown seeds are formed.

The perennial is distinguished by a thin stem part no more than 25-30 cm high. The stem part is without foliage. The shoots are bush-shaped, up to 30 cm in diameter. The foliage is ovoid. The flowers are funnel-shaped, medium-sized, up to 50 mm in diameter, blue, purple or white. Flowering is long and abundant.

Decorative perennial with straight and well-leafed, branched stems up to one and a half meters high. It has a taproot system. The upper foliage is sessile, ovate-oblong, double-toothed. The lower leaves are located on short petioles. Large racemose inflorescences are represented by fragrant milky-white flowers, up to 40 mm in diameter.

Portenschlag's bell is one of the most popular species among amateur gardeners, which does not require special care and is distinguished by its high decorative properties. A very common perennial crop, it has heart-shaped foliage with characteristic jagged edges. It blooms for a long time, from May to September.

Bell dotted

Campanula punstata is a perennial crop with a rather thin and fibrous rhizome. The stem part is erect, slightly more than half a meter high, pubescent, simple, paniculate-branched in the upper part, rough and cylindrical. The foliage is hairy, paler at the bottom. The leaves are numerous.

The basal ovoid foliage is characterized by the presence of red hairy petioles. Stem foliage with short petioles or sessile type, ovate in shape. The flowers are large in size, drooping, located on long stalks, with pubescence. Flowering is abundant and occurs in mid-summer.

Double bell is a very widespread variety of decorative crop in home gardening. It is a variety of Capmanula equifolia. The hybrid form was obtained by crossing the Carpathian species (C.carpatica) with the spoon-leaved species (C.cochlearifolia). The bush-like plant is strewn with double flowers of different colors. The shades of the petals can vary from white to purple. The stem part is thin and flexible, with numerous carved leaves.

Other varieties

There are others, less common, but no less attractive varieties of decorative bells:

• hybrid form "Sarastro" with a bush height of 40-60 cm and a width of no more than 30-45 cm. A fairly compact crop is distinguished by large, numerous flowers of bright purple color. There is no need to tie up strong flower stalks;
• the pyramidal species is known to many under the name "Venus Belt". This perennial plant, up to one and a half meters high, has a smooth and hairless stem part with green foliage and numerous flowers;
• variety "Bernise" It is distinguished by strongly double flowers with an interesting and quite intense color. The height and width of the bush does not exceed half a meter. The flowers are a rich lilac color with petals that very effectively bend on the outside, towards the stem. The flower stalks are durable, and the carved dark green leaves have a slightly rough surface;

Bells: varieties (video)

• variety "Pozharsky"– the plant is very unpretentious, blooms profusely and for a long time, and is relatively tall. The above-ground part is represented by long shoots. The flowers are numerous, star-shaped;
• variety "Thyrsoid" or "Spike" often used in bouquets and is characterized by an erect, powerful, simple, grooved, reddish, densely and short bristly-hairy stem. The basal foliage gathers into a dense and lying rosette. The stem leaves are very closely spaced, numerous, linear-lanceolate, pointed and entire. The flowers are numerous, sessile, collected in dense, cylindrical or pyramidal-shaped spikes no more than a quarter of a meter high;
• variety "Pantaloons" refers to perennial plants with an aboveground part no more than half a meter high. A distinctive feature is represented by double flowers of quite large sizes;

• Caucasian variety "Sarmatian" little-known, but very highly decorative. Grows up to 0.4 m or a little more. Numerous attractive flowers have a very delicate honey scent;
• bell(C.saxifrāga) is a compact herbaceous plant with a height of the aboveground part of no more than 50 mm, slightly pubescent, serrated leaves and bell-shaped flowers of a dark bluish-violet hue;
• variety "Long-columnar"– the plant has an average height, no more than 30 cm in height. The leaves are very attractive heart-shaped. The flowers form a long and narrow, spike-shaped raceme, of a dense bluish-purple or deep blue color. Flowering occurs from May to the end of June. The culture is widely used in the design of rocky hills, and is also planted on borders and used for cutting to make miniature bouquets.

Features of growing bells (video)

Also very well known to flower growers "Chilean bell" or Lapageria with axillary single flowers and wire-like, bluish-green, highly branched branches up to ten meters high. The crowded bell or Freya plant also looks very beautiful.

Growing bells from seeds: technology and timing

The seed material of bells does not need to provide mandatory preliminary pre-sowing preparation. Seeds can be sown directly in flower beds in open ground around May or October. However, to obtain abundant and lush flowering in the year of sowing, it is recommended to grow the decorative perennial crop using the standard seedling method. For this purpose, the seeds are sown in March in planting containers filled with loose and nutritious, permeable soil mixture.

The best nutritious planting substrate based on humus and turf soil, as well as coarse-grained clean sand, mixed in a ratio of 3:6:1, has proven itself. The seed material is lightly pressed against the surface of well-moistened soil. Crops must be covered with transparent plastic film to create a greenhouse effect. Under temperature conditions of 18-20ºC and regular spraying, mass shoots appear in about a couple of weeks.

After the emergence of mass shoots, remove the film cover and place the container with seedling material in a bright and warm place, which must be protected from direct sunlight. Standard care for flower seedlings consists of regular watering with settled water at room temperature, as well as shallow loosening of the soil.

After the first true leaves appear, Seedlings of decorative crops need to be picked into separate seedling pots with a diameter of 10-12 cm. About a couple of weeks after diving, it is recommended to feed the flower seedlings with a special solution based on complex fertilizer.

Planting of seedlings in a permanent place is carried out in the last ten days of May or at the very beginning of summer. A significant part of the varieties belongs to the category of very light-loving ornamental perennials, Therefore, for planting you need to choose areas well lit by sunlight. The composition of the soil suitable for growing crops may also vary depending on the species and varietal characteristics.

Pre-planting preparation for heavy soils involves the addition of sand and humus, and for areas depleted of nutrients it is necessary to apply turf soil and basic fertilizers. It is strictly forbidden to introduce fresh manure and large amounts of peat during the digging process., since in this case the risk of damage to the ornamental perennial by fungal infections increases significantly.

Caring for a beautifully flowering plant is not difficult even for novice amateur gardeners. It is enough to systematically carry out irrigation measures, regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds, and also provide double fertilizing with basic complex fertilizers.

How to care for bluebells (video)

Garden bell is a favorite flowering plant not only for children, but also for many adults. This very unpretentious and decorative crop is perfect not only for decorating the local area, but has also been grown with great success in indoor floriculture for many years.

Perennial flowers, bells, are grown everywhere as garden and country decoration. They are valued for their availability, frost resistance, and variety of varieties. There are about 300 types of bells. Cultivated garden forms are slightly finicky to care for, but with due attention they can decorate the area for many years. The material contains photos and descriptions of the most popular varieties among domestic gardeners.

The garden variety of perennial bellflower or campanula has been cultivated by humans for hundreds of years. The name of the plant and its entire family was given by the shape of the corolla, reminiscent of a miniature bell. In Rus', the flower was also given the names chebotka, pichuzhnitsa, chenille or bell. In the wild, bluebells grow both among tall meadow grasses and on rocky surfaces. The first ones are tall, the second ones are short. The generally accepted varietal classification of all perennial bells is based on differences in “growth.”

Unlike wild meadow species, the flowers are colored not only in blue-blue tones. Shades of garden bells: white, purple, crimson, etc. Tone saturation depends on humidity. The higher it is, the lighter the bud.

The stems of the bell are erect, moderately branched, although climbing subspecies are also found. The plant blooms in the second season from the moment of sowing. The buds open abundantly and fade in waves throughout the summer and the first half of autumn. The corollas of the perennial bell are honey-bearing. The flower is planted in spring or autumn. Any moist soil will suit it.

Attention! An abundance of sunlight is not necessary. Campanula fully takes root and develops even in the shade.

Tall flower varieties

Nettle leaf bell will grow up to 1 m and is distinguished by straight, highly fleecy stems. The greens look similar to nettles:

• lower leaves have long petioles;
• all leaf plates have a serrated edge;
• the green surface is rough.

Nettle-leaved

Blue-violet or white corollas are collected in a brush up to 45 cm in length. The variety blooms for less than a month from the end of June. Seeds are produced en masse. The subspecies actively reproduces by self-seeding.

Attention! Young leaves and roots of the nettle-leaved bell are placed in salads and cabbage soup.

Campanula latifolia- one of the tallest in the family: 1.2 m. It has a leafy straight stem and large basal leaves. The buds (about 6 cm in length) are located in the axils of the upper sessile leaves. Color - blue, bright blue or white. There are subspecies with double buds. Flowering occurs in mid-summer.

Onion-shaped or rapunzel-shaped bell reaches a height of 1 m if grown under normal conditions. On rocky soil the flower may be much lower. The variety behaves aggressively on the site, quickly multiplies and grows. Practice shows: from a pair of seeds, a vast bellflower meadow grows in 2-3 years. It blooms from June until frost, producing long one-sided racemes. The color of the buds is bright purple.

Onion-shaped

Other varieties in the tall category:

1. Campanula lactiflora. Grows up to 1.2 m, although it can be lower. Small corollas are collected in pyramids. The color is lilac or white.
2. The bell is crowded. In addition to being tall (1 m), it has a miniature shape. Multi-tiered inflorescences. The flowers are blue, dark purple or white.
3. Peach-leaved variety. A 1-meter plant with simple or double buds with a diameter of 3 cm. The color of the inflorescences is blue or white. The leaves are dark and small. Blooms until early autumn. Suitable for cutting.

Medium-sized varieties

Campanula rotundifolia is one of the most popular in its family. It has rounded basal leaves. They dry out and die in the summer, during the flowering phase. The top greens stay fresh until October.

The height of an adult plant reaches 60 cm. There may be several stems. The buds are strictly blue, small, arranged in a paniculate inflorescence.

Other medium-sized varieties of campanula:

Round-leaved

1. The spreading bell reaches 50-70 cm in height. It has narrow lanceolate leaves of a rich green hue. Large flowers are collected in spreading panicles. Petals are a soft lilac shade.
2. A perennial variety called Raspberry Ring has single large double buds. The color of the petals is pink. The length of the stem reaches 70 cm. Flowering continues all summer.
3. Bluebell Droplet is a biennial species. The average height is about 80 cm. The buds are large, up to 6 cm in diameter. They are colored white, blue or purple, located along the entire length of the stem. The flowers open alternately during July and August.

Low-growing Campanula varieties

A special feature of this category of perennial bells is the need for lighting. Plants need plenty of heat and sun. They also need good drainage and rocky soil type. For the winter, the flowers are covered with spruce branches. Low-growing include mountain Pozharsky variety with creeping stems, medium-sized serrated leaves and small flowers of a light blue tone. The bud barely reaches 15 cm in height.

Similar to him Portenschlag bell. The buds play blue-lilac-violet shades. The small, round leaves have a serrated edge. Height - 10-15 cm. Flowering lasts until late autumn, weather permitting.

Other crops in this category:

1. Campanula punctata differs from its low-growing counterparts in its winter hardiness. Creeping stems rise 20-25 cm above the ground. Inflorescences are sparse. The corollas have a light purple color, unusual for bells, with a dark splash in the center.
2. The Carpathian variety is one of the longest lasting among dwarf campanulas. It blooms from June to late autumn with delicate blue or white flowers. Height - about 15 cm.
3. The Gargan bell does not grow higher than 10-15 cm. It forms lush “pillows” on the site. The petals are folded into a star-shaped corolla and have a gray-blue tint.

Campanula is suitable for growing in the garden. The plant is often used to decorate a personal plot. Before planting, you just need to choose the right variety.

Have you planted bluebells on your property?

Garden bells: video

Bells are a real garden decoration! They do not require painstaking care and do not place high demands on the soil.

Do you want to get a gorgeous flower bed? Then water the flowers and feed the seedlings on time. In this article I will talk about the nuances of growing miniature bells. In the photo you can see all the beauty of the perennial flower. Next we will also look at the description of the varieties.

I recommend sowing flowers in the fall; over the winter the seeds will undergo natural stratification. There is no need to soak them. The peculiarity of the seed is that it is small. To get healthy, strong flowers, plant it in a fertile substrate. The plant takes root in a soil mixture consisting of 3 parts humus, 5 parts turf soil and 1 part clean sand.

To obtain seedlings, you do not need to apply fertilizers. The seeds need to be lightly compacted and then moistened with a spray bottle. To make them germinate faster, you need to cover them with film. Crops develop favorably at a temperature of + 19 degrees.

Growing seedlings

Now let's talk about seedlings. To get garden flowers faster, you need to place it in a bright place, but you should remember that seedlings do not do well in direct sunlight. After a few days you will need to remove the film.

Care for bluebells as you would other flowers. Add water as the substrate dries and loosen the soil mixture. When you see three stronger leaves, perform a pick (transplant the seedlings into a larger container).

The distance between specimens should be 10 cm. 15 days after picking, feed the plants with weakly concentrated complex fertilizers.

Lighting and soil requirements

Most species prefer illuminated areas. Varieties that like to grow in the shade can be recognized by the dark color of their leaves. The flower does not make high demands on the composition of the soil, but it is desirable that it be light, neutral, slightly alkaline.

To improve soil breathability, loosen the soil. If it is heavy, dilute with sand (alternatively, you can use turf soil). To increase soil fertility, you need to use specially designed fertilizers.

Remember: peat and manure are contraindicated for this flower. He may die from such fertilizers. Place bluebells in a sunny area away from trees, which draw a lot of their nutrients from the soil.

Maintain distance between seedlings.

1. If a low-growing variety is chosen for planting, place specimens at a distance of 15 cm from each other.
2. Medium flowers are placed at a distance of 15 cm.
3. The distance between tall varieties should be 50 - 65 cm

After planting, moisten and compact the soil.

Care, methods of reproduction

It is recommended to water them once a week, but if the weather is dry, you should add water more often - once every 3 days. In order for a flower to grow well in open ground, weeds must be removed. I advise you to tie tall specimens to a support.

Apply nitrogen fertilizer in the spring, and a complex composition in early June. If you want to admire the flowering for a long time, remove weeds and wilted branches in a timely manner.

Perennial varieties of bells are propagated by cuttings. If you prefer to grow double bell, propagate it vegetatively. This variety does not produce seeds. A flower that has racemose or taproots is propagated by a generative method, that is, seeds are used.

To grow a flower in seedlings, you need to choose the appropriate variety. I recommend sowing seeds around the tenth of October. While in open ground, they undergo stratification. If the seed has taken root well, you will see seedlings in the spring.

For those who prefer to plant a flower in May, I advise you to perform stratification - place the seeds on the refrigerator shelf and let them sit for 2 months. Cuttings should be prepared in mid-March. You need to cut them from the stems and shoots located at the roots. Cuttings do well in greenhouse conditions, so it is better to cover them with film.

Planting material forms roots in 20-30 days. Depending on the species, plants are divided in the second or fifth year of life.

At the beginning of May, you need to remove large bushes, and then trim the stems. Divide the plants so that developed roots remain on the daughter specimens. Treat the cut with crushed coal. Plant the daughter specimens in the main bed.

If you want to propagate the perennial white bell by parts of the rhizome, take the creeping root and divide it into several equal sections. Each of them must have buds that, when planted, will be at ground level.

Pests, possible diseases

These flowers are not susceptible to diseases and are rarely attacked by pests. It is not recommended to grow flowers in one place for many years, otherwise microorganisms will settle in the garden and cause disease. For prevention, treat bells with 0.2% Fundazol.

Low-growing species can be attacked by slugs. To control pests, use an infusion of hot pepper. Granulated superphosphate can be used to drive out slugs.

Seed collection

The seed is harvested when the bolls turn brown. It is recommended to keep them in a dry place for 2-3 days, after which remove the seeds. In order for the plant to survive the winter well, you need to cut the stem in early October.

Biennial and perennial varieties do not need shelter. I recommend covering southern species with spruce branches. If you grow tall flowers, make a fifteen-centimeter peat mulch.

Popular types and varieties

We present to your attention perennial varieties of bells, photos with names.

Broadleaf. Beginner gardeners are interested in what a flower looks like. Its stem is long, erect, up to 145 cm high. The leaves of this variety are lacent, there are both wide and narrowed. The flowers differ in color. The white perennial bellflower (Alba) is especially popular. Blue and blue flowers are also often cultivated.

Peach-leaved. The flower got its name because its leaves resemble peach leaves. It has a large erect stem and compact flowers collected in inflorescences.

This species should be planted only in sunny areas. It prefers neutral loamy soil. The peach-leaf bell can be white, blue, light blue. Its flowers are double.

Milky-flowered. The stems of this perennial are branched, the inflorescences resemble brushes. The bellflower produces elegant white or mauve flowers.

Average. The biennial grows 1 m. Its stem is strong and durable, the leaves are lacentate, and the flowers are double. This species requires shelter for the winter.

Carpathian. The low-growing species grows only 30 cm. Its stem is thin, the flowers are single (white, blue or purple). The advantage of the Carpathian bell is that it blooms all summer.

Kemularia. The perennial can be found in the Caucasus. Its stems are medium in size, branched, the flowers are collected in inflorescences. Kemularia are often planted along borders.

Spoon-leaved. The miniature plant takes root in sunny beds. It produces small blue-white single flowers that are pleasing to the eye all summer long. The average height of the stem is 12 cm, the diameter of the flower does not exceed 11 mm.

We learned how to plant bluebells. In order for them to grow well in a new place, you need to periodically add water and fertilizer. The main rule is to place perennials in a lighted area!