Bells are popularly considered garden flowers, with the only exception being Campanula equifolia, which is widespread in the culture of indoor plants, the main representatives of which are the popular varieties Mayi and Alba with white and bluish flowers, which are popularly referred to as the bride and groom.

But recently, compact and low-growing bells, which are intended for growing in open ground, are beginning to gain positions in indoor floriculture. The champions among these plants are the terry variety of bells.

Varieties and types of bells

It grows on the edges of bushes or on slopes. It is a perennial with a spindle-like root system and a straight or slightly branched stem. The leaves are ovoid, pointed, rough and pubescent underneath.

Depending on weather conditions, the bell grows up to one and a half meters. The flowers are not large, light blue in color, solitary or collected in groups in the axils of the leaves, creating racemose inflorescences.

Forms buds in June, the flowering period occurs from July to early August. Flowering lasts about two weeks, some plants continue their flowering period due to lateral stems. The number of flowers is very large, up to about a hundred, and sometimes more.

The seeds are collected in August. The bell flower reproduces very well by self-sowing. If you want to plant these flowers in your garden, you should sow the seeds before winter. This species is very dry-resistant. I have it growing on a rocky hill.

It is also a resident of forests, bushes and slopes. The flowers are solitary or collected in groups of two or four in the axil of the leaves, creating racemose inflorescences. The height of the plant does not exceed one meter. Flowering occurs a little earlier than Bolognese, but the flowering period is longer.

In favorable conditions, repeated flowering is possible. The seeds ripen in August. The boxes are collected before drying. These bells in the garden are not picky about the soil, but love wetter and quieter places. They look very good near bodies of water.

Distributed in pine forests, on slopes among bushes. The height of the stem is from ten to fifty centimeters. The flowers are solitary or placed in groups of two or three on the tops of spacious stems.

These garden bells begin the growing season earlier than other species; the flowering period occurs in June. Flowering lasts throughout the summer. The boxes need to be collected several times, because the presence of ripe fruits stops the flowering period of the plant.

It is better to sow the seeds of round-leaved bells in winter. Try scattering the seeds randomly and the plantings will surprise you with thick, spreading and thin stems that will form a green feather bed, equipped with small leaves and exquisite flowers.

It grows in forests, but the most favorite habitats are forest onions. It is possible to find them on poor soils of pine forests, but they do not create clumps here, but grow singly with two or three flowers on weak stems. And in the groves, next to the mighty oaks, the bells are especially luxurious.

They awaken later than other species, but their flowering period begins earlier. At the end of June, the seeds are already ripening, which can be easily poured out through the holes located in the upper part of the fruit. This species gives very good self-seeding. Flowering occurs in the second year. They differ from other species in the size of their flowers and drought resistance.

This perennial plant has a straight, simple stem with a milky sap. The leaves are bare, toothed, and the basal leaves are elongated and sessile. The flowers are large, single or collected in racemes, blue and sometimes white.

Loves forests, bushes and slopes, limestone outcrops, as well as wastelands and roadsides. This perennial with a thick branched stem up to a meter high. The entire plant is covered with rough short hairs. The basal and lower stem leaves are located on long petioles, heart-shaped-ovate, the upper lanceolate, serrated. Forms up to ten flowers on short stalks in a violet racemose inflorescence. Calyxes are hairy with curved teeth. The corolla is larger than the calyx, funnel-shaped.

In the garden, the height of this plant can reach two meters; the inflorescence can contain up to one hundred and fifty flowers. The bell plant grows at the end of March and blooms in June–July. It can be propagated by dividing the bush or by seeds. The seeds ripen in July August.

It is better to sow in winter. The plant self-sows. The seeds have a high germination rate, but require a period of rest. In the first year, a rosette with several leaves and a taproot appears. The next year, a stem and creeping underground shoots appear from this rosette, which give rise to new plants. Vegetative propagation continues from year to year, and over time the bells cover a very large area.

It grows in forests, on the edges, and lives well on dry onions. A perennial plant with a thick, almost tree-like rhizome and a straight, simple stem, often reddish and pubescent. The upper leaves are narrow, and the lower ones are ovate-elongated. Dark purple flowers collected in the inflorescence of the head in the axil of the upper leaves. The height of the plant is twenty-fifty centimeters, sometimes higher. They appear in early spring, flowering occurs in June, and the seeds ripen in August.

The crowded bell loves dry places, they look very beautiful in groups. Young root leaves contain milky juice; they are used together with sauerkraut to make soups. An infusion of leaves is used in folk medicine for sore throats and as a lotion for skin diseases. A good honey plant.

An unpretentious perennial. These are the most decorative bells. The flowers are large, light purple, collected in inflorescences. The height of the plant is from seventy to one hundred and fifty centimeters.

Flowering occurs in the second year. It begins to grow in early April. The budding phase occurs from the beginning of June, and at the end of the same month the flowering period begins. The stems are straight. The flowers are bell-shaped, which are located in the axils of the upper leaves and collected in a densely spike-shaped cluster.

Flowering occurs until the end of July. The seeds ripen in September. Autumn sowings produce good seedlings in the spring. Blooms densely in open sunny places. It is better to use sandy and loamy soil.

Perennial root-like plant. Very decorative, with large blue flowers, which can be found in gardeners’ flower beds, and white ones, which look like glasses, with a pyramidal inflorescence. The flowers are solitary, located at the top of the flower stalks. The heart-shaped leaves are mainly basal, the stems reach a height of up to forty centimeters.

Propagated by seeds, which are scattered on the surface of the soil and lightly compacted. Entire clumps are formed on dry soils. Loves sunny areas with fertile, well-drained soil. Used in landscaping flower beds and border design. These bells look good in rock gardens and on rocky hills, in any composition. It creates a particularly amazing contrast of shape and color with poppies.

The plant is biennial. Perhaps there is not a single flower lover who would not be delighted by the beauty of these amazingly beautiful flowers, collected in pyramidal inflorescences. Very decorative plants with colorful flowers.

Growing does not require much effort. They are planted in mixborders, in groups in flower beds and in mixed plantings. The ridges will be decorated with their delicate flowers. Since these flowers have tall, spreading stems, they are best planted in an area protected from the wind.

General information about house bells

Houseplants already include varieties of Carpathian bellflower, such as Thorpedo with purple flowers, as well as its white-flowered variety Alba. And recently, the analogy of a bride and groom with densely double pink flowers has appeared on the flower market.

These new items are represented by the blue and white form of the hybrid bell, obtained by crossing the bells of the spoon-leaved and Carpathian bells, which are known as dwarf ground cover plants intended for open ground.

One should make a reservation about the compactness of the bells. Since almost all plants that go on sale in flower shops are treated with retardants, these are substances that slow down plant growth. As a result, the plants have the appearance of a fairly thick and dense turf, while forming their shoots with shortened internodes, and flowering occurs in a cap. At the end of the effect of the drug, the plant returns to its natural growth form, after which it becomes looser.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with this. Since the bride and groom grow, even without chemical treatment, like hanging plants. Terry bells have approximately the same appearance, which look very beautiful in hanging flower pots. Flowering occurs very abundantly. And individual flowers last for about five to seven days, but if you take into account the entire flowering period as a whole, it lasts quite a long time, which occurs from June to August.

It is advisable to remove wilted flowers, as well as shoots that have already completed their flowering period. This simple technique gives the plant an incentive to form new buds, and also helps to prolong the flowering period.

Carpathian bell planting and care at home

When cultivated, the requirements of terry varieties are approximately the same as those of the bellflower. You need to choose a fairly bright place with sufficiently bright, but at the same time diffused sunlight. This variety tolerates only light shading; with a lack of lighting, the shoots of the bells are stretched, and the flowering of the plant is greatly deteriorated or stops altogether.

Plants should be watered regularly to maintain soil moisture and there should be good drainage. Even if the earthen clod dries out for a short time, the buds may dry out. Excessive moisture is also not advisable, as it often causes root rot. Also, terry bells do not tolerate very dry air, which causes the leaves to dry out at the edges.

Feeding Carpathian bellflower

The plant needs regular fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers for abundant flowering, which should be done every couple of weeks.

An important condition for these plants, in indoor conditions, is wintering with cool conditions at a sufficiently high level of lighting. A glazed loggia with a low, but still positive temperature is optimal.

Carpathian bell propagation by cuttings

If the bell has become elongated during the winter, then in the spring it can be cut very short. All cut stems can be used for cuttings. The plant is quite resistant to diseases and pests.

The interspecific hybrid of the bell is sterile, and for this reason cannot form seeds, so the plant is propagated only by vegetative means. The optimal time for this is spring. New plants can most easily be obtained by dividing a bush into several parts, or from stem cuttings with three to four internodes.

It should be taken into account that damaged bell tissue secretes milky juice; for this reason, the cuttings are first placed in water to release the juice, and only after that they are planted in a moist substrate consisting of sand and peat, perlite or vermiculite.

To create greenhouse conditions with high humidity, you can cover the cuttings with a plastic bag, after which they must be placed in a bright place, but without direct sunlight. Rooting will occur over a period of several weeks.

I associate this amazing plant with my childhood. We often collected bouquets of bells. Therefore, I really wanted to plant several varieties in my flower garden and now in the summer I admire these delicate flowers.

Campanula - (lat. Campanula) - a plant of the Campanula family. The name itself comes as a diminutive from the Italian campana - bell.

It was given because of its characteristic shape, reminiscent of an elongated bowl, really similar to a dome. In Russia, this name has also stuck, as well as several “folk” ones: bell, chenille, chebotok.

The habitats of the perennial bell in nature are meadows, steppes, forest edges, even rocky areas. Basically, these are territories with a temperate climate: all of Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine and even some territories of North America.

In total, scientists have identified about 400 species of this plant (as of 2016 - 440), in central Russia - only 15, and throughout the country and including neighboring ones - about 150 species.

Bluebell is a perennial, less often annual, herb with whole alternate leaf blades on the stem. The corolla is elongated, reminiscent of a glass, and the color ranges from blue to lilac. There are also white and purple inflorescences.

Sometimes there is one flower on the stem, but mostly these are inflorescences - brush-shaped panicles. The seeds ripen in flowers in a kind of box, with slots in the amount of 4 to 6 pieces.

In some species, the flower bowl is tubular, with five petals pointed upward; there are large bells. The leaves of some varieties are round at the base of the stem, and have lance-shaped, pointed leaves on the trunk.

Flowering of bells usually begins in the first half of May and continues until mid-July, from two weeks to one and a half months. In some varieties, active color begins in late summer and ends in September. There are varieties that delight with multi-colored “tassels” for up to 90 days.

This plant has been gaining popularity lately among gardeners who love wildflowers and the style of a meadow flowerbed. Therefore, breeders even breed hybrids with double inflorescences.

Classification and main types

All bells are divided into two basic categories based on their growth period.

• Perennial.
• Annuals.

The most planted are those that bloom for more than one year, much less than annual ones. Since all these plants can live in different places and, accordingly, the conditions for caring for them differ, there is another classification:

• Field.
• Forest.
• Mountain.

These flowers are also divided into groups according to the height of the bushes:

• Miniature (stem length up to 10 - 20 cm).
• Medium (20 - 40).
• Tall (the stem extends upward from 40 cm).

These classifications are based on where they grow in the natural environment and on the external differences of the bells. Let's look at the most common types and varieties of these beautiful delicate flowers.

Annual species

They are most often comfortable in the southern regions, but in the middle zone they grow much less frequently. These species are not as popular among gardeners as perennials, but there are very spectacular ones among them:

Average

Flowering begins in June and continues until September and comes in white, pink, blue, and blue shades. Sometimes the flower shape is double, and the height of the variety is about 1 meter.

Kashmiri

The bush of bells is very short - no more than 10 - 12 cm. The flowering of this variety is lilac-blue, numerous, but small in size.

Long-columnar

This plant belongs to varieties that creep and are endowed with a large number of shoots. The flowers are up to 4 cm in circumference, quite large, purple in color. If pruning is done in time, the bush may bloom a second time.

Also classified as annual plants is the dichotomous (forked) bell, which grows only up to 20 cm. The flowering is very abundant, pinkish-lilac in color.

Caring for annuals is the same as for perennial flowers. It is advisable to add sand and peat to the soil, since the bluebell does not really like heavy compositions. Also, it does not like soil that is too wet and soggy. Propagated by seed. Nitrogen fertilizers are recommended as top dressing.

Perennial bluebells

They are the most common and popular. Let's look at some varieties that are planted most often.

Campanula nettlefolia

This plant is tall - the stem length is about one meter. It is easy to care for and tolerates frost well. The root system has a branched structure, and the trunk is ribbed in structure, has small villi, rigid in structure.

The petioles are short, the leaf blades are triangular or oval in shape. The flowers are located in a number of several pieces in the axils of the leaf blades in the upper part of the stem. The structure of the inflorescence is not dense, length - 40 - 50 cm. The flowers are fluffy, often purple, sometimes snow-white.

Roundleaf bellflower

The name of this perennial plant is given because of the rounded shape of the basal leaves collected in a rosette. This variety is low - from 40 to 60 cm. Distributed in central Russia, Siberia and the Caucasus.

The bell has one or more shoots. The root is creeping and branched. The leaves near the root dry out and fall off early, but those on the stem remain deep green for a long time.

Inflorescences - panicles have many small blue flowers, located in the upper part of the shoots. The most popular varieties are: arctic, garden, velvety.

Spot

It has a small height - only up to 25 cm. Interesting elongated shape of the petals, a glass-shaped inflorescence with burgundy specks on a white and pink background. The pedicels are elongated, large, pubescent, the inflorescences are lowered down.

Thanks to their noble color and elongated shape, they are much loved by gardeners. They look original against the background of other garden and ornamental plants.

Spiral-leaved (spoon-leaved)

Belongs to the low-growing species. Homeland - Alps and Carpathians. The inflorescences consist of small, 1 cm in diameter, blue, blue or white flowers, drooping in shape. The shoots are creeping, the bush is spreading. Main varieties: Loder, Alba, Miss Wilmott.

broadleaf

Refers to the tall types of bell. The stem is more than 100 cm, straight and strong. Leaves with pointed tips are 12 cm long and 6 cm wide. The inflorescences are large, axillary, the raceme is narrow, reminiscent of a spikelet.

Flowers are medium in size - up to 6 cm. Funnel-shaped, blooms from June to August. Famous varieties: Alba, Bruntwood, Maranta.

Landing rules

The bell is not at all capricious, but there are still a number of rules that must be followed when planting. Then this plant will delight you with its delicate inflorescences all season long.

1. The landing site should be spacious and sunny. The plant does not like excess moisture and nearby groundwater. To prevent the root system from freezing, there should be no stagnation of moisture near it.
2. The soil for planting should be light, loamy is allowed. You can dilute it with humus, sand, if heavy, poor soil is fed with turf soil.
3. Before planting plants, it is recommended to dig up the soil well, it is advisable to add superphosphate and manure that has been rotted. There is no need to mix peat into the soil to avoid fungal diseases. Fresh manure is also not introduced. This is a fairly aggressive feeding for bluebells.
4. The composition of the soil recommended for planting is neutral or slightly alkaline; if there is acidity, then you need to add a little wood ash.
5. In an open place, under the scorching rays of the sun, without at least brief partial shade, the bells quickly fade.

So, choosing a place to plant is not difficult, you just need to follow some simple rules. The main thing is that you do not choose a swampy and damp area for planting.

Caring for bluebells

It is advisable not to water the bushes very often to avoid excess moisture. During the growth period, before flowering, you can fertilize the bells with nitrogen. It is useful to sprinkle the soil with wood ash, which will protect the plant from various diseases.

Mineral fertilizers are applied before the bushes budding. They should not be too concentrated. Also, the soil near the stem needs to be loosened and weeded, because bluebells do not really accept the dominance of weeds and the heavy, overly compacted soil structure.

You should also carefully remove dried flowers so as not to give them nutrients. Then the bell will bloom much longer. When the seed pods become dark brown in color, they are cut off.

Bells are propagated by seeds from those very boxes. The process takes place in the spring. Dividing the bush is also one of the types of propagation, carried out in spring and August.

In May, root shoots are used for planting adult plants. For one square meter, tall bells are distributed in the amount of 5 pieces, medium and small - 12 pieces.

Bells can be planted along garden paths, in a group with other garden and ornamental plants in flower beds and mixborders.

Bluebell, or garden campanula, is a very beautiful and useful crop that can help in the fight against many diseases, including epilepsy in children. More than a hundred species of this representative of the flora are considered cultivated, and today the modest flower rightfully occupies its rightful place not only in the flowerbeds of summer cottages, but is also popular as a houseplant. The article is devoted to recommendations for breeding and growing various varieties of bluebell flowers from seeds and contains information about its most famous varieties.

Optimal conditions for growing bells in open ground

Campanula is a rather unpretentious plant of the dicotyledonous class., which does not require special care and can adapt to the environment. However, the attractive appearance of the inflorescences and the long duration of flowering are possible only by taking into account some of the characteristics of individual types of bells and by creating the most comfortable conditions for the culture.

The overwhelming majority of cultivated Campanula species love well-lit, open areas, although they also feel quite good in partial shade and can even bloom longer than in the sun.

When choosing a place for planting, it is necessary to take into account that the bell does not tolerate stagnant moisture, because the proximity of groundwater can lead to freezing in winter. Thus, lowlands with clay soil are definitely not suitable.

Features of growing bells (video)

Types of bellflower: botanical description

All types of bells can be divided into forest, meadow and mountain. Below are the most widely known varieties suitable for cultivation on the site.

Bellflower peach

Characteristic structural features of this type of campanula are a short, woody rhizome, a straight stem without leaves, an inflorescence with broadly lanceolate flowers, usually sky blue. Inside it is also divided into creeping, creeping, long and slightly descending. This variety blooms from summer until the onset of frost.

A compact cushion-shaped plant (height - up to 15 cm), forming dense thickets. It grows very quickly using its roots. The flowers are violet-blue or reddish-violet, and the heart-shaped leaves are round and serrated. The flowering period is June-August.

This graceful variety, developed in Northern Italy, features long (22-25 cm) creeping or cascading stems that are densely covered with greenery. From June to September it is decorated with delicate violet-blue or white flowers. The leaves of Campanula equifolia have a heart shape and a serrated edge; the central vein is pronounced.

The name of the species speaks for itself: it is a low bush with thin, flexible stems and dense foliage, during the flowering period strewn with double flowers of various shades, ranging from white to purple. Double bells were developed by crossing Sparrowleaf and Carpathian Campanula and are a variety of Campanula equifolia.

The stems of this type of campanula are straight, branched, with a large number of leaves; the plant itself is quite tall - 50-150 cm. The root system is taproot. The pleasantly smelling inflorescences are milky white in color, collected in large clusters, and each flower reaches a diameter of 4 cm.

Campanula latifolia

This tall perennial, more than a meter tall, is distinguished not only by its size, but also by its powerful branched root system. The leaves are large, serrated. This variety blooms with large racemose purple, blue or snow-white bells. The inflorescences combine perfectly with the dense greenery of the ovoid leaves. Tolerates lack of moisture and pest attacks well.

Another name for the variety is Pantaloons. Distinctive features of the variety: straight, pubescent stem up to 70 cm high, oval leaves, large inflorescences with drooping flowers (from 1 to 5) of various shades of white and blue. The root of the dotted bell is thin and fibrous. The main advantage of this variety is its long flowering period: from the beginning of summer until the onset of the first frost.

The species is popularly called “groom”; is a variety of Campanula equifolia. The shoots reach a length of 40 centimeters, the leaves are dark and fleecy. During the flowering period, the “groom” is decorated with bluish-lilac, fragile-looking five-leafed leaves.

A pretty bush-like plant native to the Alpine mountain belt, up to 30 cm in height and width. The leaves at the root are attached to long petioles, and the stem leaves are attached to short ones. Snow-white, blue or purple flowers of this species, single, funnel-shaped, reach 5 cm in diameter. Flowering period: June-August (up to seventy days), sometimes until the end of September. A number of garden varieties of Carpathian bellflower have been developed.

Other types and varieties of garden campanula

In addition to the above, there are also a huge number of varieties of bells. Here are some of them:

• Bluebell crowded(C. glomerata). Another name for the variety is “Freya”. A herbaceous perennial with a woody rhizome and many erect, pubescent grayish-green stems. It reaches an average height of 25-50 cm. Densely grouped small purple flowers (15-20 pieces) form a very beautiful inflorescence. Freya blooms from the end of June for about a month.
• Long-columnar bell(C. longistyla Fomin). Caucasian perennial, growing up to 75 cm in height. The stems of the variety are erect and branched, with abundant foliage. The basal leaves are shaped like a pointed egg. The inflorescence in the form of a brush or panicle is formed by several blue-purple bright flowers. Flowering occurs in July-August.

• Bell Sarmatian(C. sarmatica) - originally from the Caucasus Mountains, takes root well on alpine hills. The height of the plant is up to 40 cm, the oblong leaves are pubescent, which is why they appear gray-green. Lilac flowers are distributed almost along the entire length of the shoot. Blooms from June to August.
• Saxifrage(C. saxifraga). It is distinguished by large purple corollas with a white spot in the center, planted on low peduncles (10-15 centimeters). Early flowering: May-June.

• Campanula nettlefolia(C. trachelium). The height can vary: from 30 cm to 1 m. The leaves look like nettles, they are heavily covered with hard hairs. The flowers are large; the corolla is either almost white or blue-violet. It blooms from June and then bears fruit until October. The Bernise variety (with double lilac-blue flowers) is popular in gardening.
• Campanula pyramidal(C. pyramidalis), or “Girdle of Venus” is one of the most spectacular herbaceous plants. Tall, up to 1.5 m, with a thick fleshy stem, by mid-summer the giant begins to bloom: large corollas reaching 4.5 cm in diameter exude a pleasant aroma.

• Poskharsky's bell(C. poscharskyana). A low-growing plant (15-20 cm) with long purple flowers that bloom in June-July. It grows quickly. A well-known variety is “Stella” (dark blue flowers).
• Thyrsoid bell(C. thyrsoides L.) - mountain variety native to the Alps; reaches a height of 20-50 centimeters. The main feature is the flowers, which are unlike other types of bells: they are a thick, cylindrical spike, the color of which can vary from bright yellow to pale yellowish. This variety is often used for making bouquets.

• Chilean bluebell(Lapageria) can hardly be called a bellflower. The fact is that Lapageria belongs to the family of Philesiaceae, not bellflowers. However, the pink flowers really resemble a bell in shape: hence the name and popularity among gardeners as an ornamental plant.
• Bell Sarastro(C. hybrid Sarastro) - a hybrid variety with a straight, pubescent stem about half a meter high. The bright purple flowers are drooping and shaped like glasses.

Bluebell: growing in the garden (video)

Garden bell: growing from seeds, timing and planting technology

A good option would be to first grow seedlings at home, and then plant it in open ground. Annual bellflower species can only be bred in this way; the rest can be bred variably.

The house should be planted in March. The seeds must be sown on a small layer of snow previously placed on top of the soil. Then the seedling containers are sent to the refrigerator for a couple of weeks in plastic bags, and after the expiration of the period they are brought out into the light.

It is necessary to plant the sprouted bells in separate containers when each sprout already has two or three full leaves, and the ideal time for planting in open ground is late May and early June (or any time when the threat of frost has passed).

For the most successful planting, you must follow several rules:

• The soil must be fertilized, loosened and drained. The exception to this rule applies only to species of rocky origin: such plants will take root well in poor soil that has been previously limed.
• Either neutral or slightly acidic soil is preferred.
• If there is no suitable site with fertile, mineral-rich soil, the following actions are recommended: sand should be added to the loam, as well as peat and some fertilizer (for example, superphosphate). Sandy soil needs humus, rotted compost and turf.
• Fresh manure and peat can provoke the development of fungal diseases, so fertilizers of this kind should be used when they have weathered.
• Almost immediately after planting the sprouts in open ground, it is recommended to treat the plants with products containing copper and metaldehyde. This will help avoid diseases, slug attacks and the appearance of “rust” on the leaves.

Features of caring for bells in open ground

Feeding bells is not a necessary condition to guarantee rapid growth of plantings. If the soil is fertile enough, you can do without it. Otherwise, Campanula should be fed with fertilizers high in phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium (for example, azofoska): 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per ten liters. However, it must be remembered that large doses can provoke the death of plants after 3-4 years, despite the lush and long flowering immediately after feeding. Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to sprinkle wood ash under the roots of plants.

Bluebells need watering only during the budding period; the rest of the time you can rely on their drought resistance. You should also ensure that the soil is loose and that weeds do not grow near the campanula.

As for the inflorescences, their beauty can be maintained by removing the flower stalks that have already faded. If it is necessary to control the growth of the crop, then when the “pods” - the fruits - ripen, they should be cut off before the pores open and the seeds end up in the soil.

Bells in the garden: choosing plants for joint planting

It’s not difficult to choose neighbors for bells: the main thing is to take into account similar conditions in which the plants will feel most comfortable. Since bells love neutral soil without excess moisture and sun (sometimes partial shade), partner crops must be selected accordingly.

For example, Carpathian campanula goes perfectly with Dalmatian geranium and sunflower. Good neighbors for the Portenschlag bell will be carnations and fescue. Partners for the crowded bellflower are alpine aster, evening primrose and parsley; however, you need to monitor the growth of this variety, since crowded campanula can drown out nearby plantings.

The healing properties of bell (video)

Growing bell flowers from seeds is an excellent solution for both the garden and the apartment, since this plant does not require special care and climatic conditions; and yet you should remember a few simple rules that will help campanula develop faster and delight the eye with flowering longer.

In the language of florists, the bell sounds quite unusual - “Campanula”. This name comes from the Latin and Italian word "campana", which means "bell". This is exactly the shape of the bell's corolla. This explains why it is known in our country under this name, which is officially enshrined in the domestic botanical nomenclature.

Throughout history, bells have been treated with love in Russia. This is once again proven by the affectionate names that were used when mentioning campanula in different places: pichuzhnitsy, chebotki, bells, chenilles... And, if you believe the old belief, a person can hear the ringing of a bell only once a year - on the magical night before Ivan Kupala .

Description

The perennial bell plant develops a simple or branched stem of small size, reaching a height of 5-150 cm. The leaves have a regular arrangement; in some species they are presented in the form of a rosette. Most bellflower species have paniculate flowers, and in more rare cases they are racemose; there are also plants with solitary inflorescences.

Growing

Basically perennial flowers bluebells can grow on any soil, however, even here they have their own preferences. It is recommended to plant them on well-treated soils that provide high-quality drainage, have a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction and are provided with the necessary nutrition. Typically, drainage channels or drainage pipes are installed to solve the drainage problem. This must be done, since stagnation of moisture in winter has an extremely negative effect on the plant, as there is a danger of root rotting and freezing. Areas where moisture accumulates after rain or during snow melt are unsuitable for growing garden bells.

When planting perennial bell flowers, you must keep in mind that the plant can grow well on them only with neutral and slightly alkaline soil reaction.

• to plant bearded and cut-out bells, you will have to prepare an area where soil with a slightly acidic reaction should predominate;
• mountain wild species of bells, whose natural habitat is limestone rocks, will feel better in slightly alkaline soils. Therefore, before you start planting a plant, you need to add a small amount of lime to the soil.

Kinds

The bell genus includes many diverse species that differ not only in their habitat, but also in other features.

Bluebell Carpathian

This species is most often found on calcareous rocks and in the upper mountain belt of Europe. Among the morphological characteristics it is worth highlighting presence of fibrous whitish root. The plant forms many stems 20-40 cm high, usually having a straight, branched shape, thanks to which the bush acquires its characteristic spherical shape. Heart-shaped leaves are located on long petioles. The largest are the basal leaves, reaching a length of 5 cm; the leaves located on the stems are smaller.

The inflorescences grow solitary and are large, reaching a length and width of 3 cm. The characteristic color is blue. The flowering of this type of bell begins in June-early July, but already begins to fade in mid-September. Throughout the entire period, the flowers retain a bright, rich color. Between August and October, seeds begin to ripen and retain high germination rate (up to 90%). If collection is delayed, seeds can reproduce through self-sowing.

This view predominates in shady, mixed forests. The usual habitat is Europe, Western Siberia, North Africa. Many people know this plant as bellweed, hogweed, gooseneck, throat grass and lotion grass, which can be explained by its healing properties, since it helps with inflammation of the throat. You can make a salad from the leaves and roots of this bell, and the young leaves are used as an additive to cabbage soup.

Bellflower

The favorite habitats of this species are the limestone mountains of Europe. It grows in the form of a low-growing creeping perennial, which produces thread-like stems 10-18 cm high. Adult specimens often form a dense turf. The characteristic color of the leaves is light green. Bell flowers have a white and blue tint, grow drooping, not exceed 1 cm in diameter, are presented in the form of loose inflorescences. The flowering time begins in mid-June and continues until the end of August. Throughout the entire phase they demonstrate abundant flowering and fruiting. They reproduce easily by self-seeding. They do not lose their attractiveness until late autumn.

Campanula lactiflora

Most often, this plant can be found in the upper, forest and subalpine zones of the Caucasus and Asia Minor mountains. It is a tall plant, reaching a height of 60-100 cm, and has a large number of brushes that decorate the branched stem in the upper part.

The flowers are quite small and their diameter does not exceed 3 cm; they can have different colors within from milky white to purple color, presented in the form of wide pyramidal inflorescences, include up to 100 different shades. It begins to bloom in June-July, when many flowers open at the same time. Fruiting is also abundant in August, when many seeds begin to ripen.

This variety of bell is most abundant in the forests and forest edges of Europe, the Caucasus and Western Siberia. Before the growing season, they look like a rosette of basal leaves, from which by mid-summer a slender, strong stem 60 cm high grows. It is decorated with miniature linear-lanceolate leaves that are dark green in color. Clusters of blue or white flowers hang at the very top of the stem. The flower forms a corolla with a broad bell-shaped shape, reaches a width of 3-3.5 cm. There are garden species that are decorated with double flowers. The first flowers open in June and decorate the area until the end of summer.

After wilting, the shoots begin to bear fruits that look like capsules containing many seeds, which reach maturity in August-September. Some species are capable of reproduction by self-seeding. If necessary, you can prolong the flowering of this species and preserve its decorative properties. To do this, it is important to avoid the ripening of seeds, for which it is necessary to promptly remove faded flowers. To obtain seeds, it is recommended to leave individual tender specimens of the peach bell. The photo of the plant is almost no different from the original.

Pozharsky's bell

This member of the family most often lives on the calcareous rocks of Southern Europe and the Balkans. During the growing season forms a dense pillow 15-20 cm high, which consists of heart-shaped petioled leaves combined with a large number of peduncles. The characteristic shape of the inflorescences is broadly bell-shaped, almost star-shaped. The flowers of the Pozharsky bell have a light plum-blue color.

Conclusion

Bluebell is one of those ornamental plants that even beginning gardeners have heard of. This plant has inflorescences that do not stand out in any way, but this does not reduce interest in it. You can also grow bells in your summer cottage, but it is advisable to choose suitable place to plant it. Although this plant is undemanding to the soil, the presence of a fertile composition benefits the bellflower. It is very important to take care of the presence of high-quality drainage, since in swampy soil conditions this plant can easily die.

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.