Growing and caring for bells, which are widespread in garden plots, is not a problem, since even cultivated species easily adapt to weather changes. But decorative, large and constantly blooming buds require good care. The plant will have its proper appearance only under optimal conditions in which it should be grown. Planting and caring for each species is carried out taking into account its characteristics.

General rules for growing bells

Many types of bluebells grow well in full sun but also enjoy partial shade. Some of them bloom longer in such conditions.

Bluebells grow everywhere, except in areas with stagnant water. They really do not like lowlands with loamy or clay soil. They will not grow in flooded areas. If groundwater is located close, you can plant flowers on high ridges, providing them with good drainage.

Planting bluebells

The soil should be loose. To do this, peat and humus are added to loam or clay soil. The bushes are replanted in autumn or spring. At the same time, leave a lump of earth so as not to damage the adventitious roots. The holes are watered abundantly before and after planting. If the roots are strong, the flowers take root better in early spring. For a less developed root system, planting is done in May, when the earth warms up.

In the fall, the bushes must take root before frost sets in. The work is carried out in late summer or early autumn.

Fertilizers

In spring, nitrogen is added to the soil to promote rapid growth of green plant matter. In the summer, complex ones are used and in the fall potassium is added, which increases resistance to frost.

Care

Summer care consists of periodic loosening, weeding and regular feeding with mineral fertilizers or rotted manure. Before flowering, this work must be done. Moderate watering is used.

For long flowering, dried stems are removed. Some of them are left, hoping to get seeds. As soon as the boxes turn brown, they are collected before they open and the seeds fall into the soil.

Before the onset of cold weather, all plant stems are cut off at the root. Shelter is required mostly for species originating from southern Europe and Asia. The soil is sprinkled with peat, spruce branches or dry leaves.

How to grow bluebells from seeds

Most species repeat the properties of the parent plants, and they can be propagated by seeds. Some varieties, such as terry varieties, may differ from their parents. In this case, they are propagated vegetatively.

Bluebells produce very small seeds and should be placed on the ground under a thin layer of sand. In the 2nd half of October or May, the seeds are sown in the ground. You can grow seedlings starting in March. To do this, prepare light soil from a mixture of peat, turf soil and sand, without the addition of organic fertilizers.

Germination of seedlings occurs 2 weeks after sowing. When 3 true leaves appear, the seedlings dive after 10 cm. Plants are planted in a permanent place in early June. Flowers and seeds will appear within a year.

Reproduction by division

Perennial bells are propagated by division. Planting and care begin in the second or third year of the growing season. The method is suitable for vegetative sedentary and mobile plants. Carpal or does not allow vegetative propagation, and seedlings are grown only from seeds.

The aboveground part is cut off and the plant is divided so that each part has a sufficient root system. The separated sprout is planted in the chosen place and watered abundantly.

Cuttings

Cuttings are made from young shoots using microgreenhouses. Each of the decorative types of bells has its own characteristics that should be taken into account when caring for and growing.

Carpathian bell

This species is most common in gardens due to its beauty, long flowering throughout the summer and unpretentiousness. The Carpathian bell is a mountain plant, and in nature it can be seen on mountain slopes. In artificial conditions it is planted on alpine hills and rockeries.

From small seedlings, the perennial bell quickly grows into a large bush. Carpathian varieties are classified as low-growing. The heart-shaped leaves form a spherical bush with a diameter of up to 30 cm. Flowering lasts up to 70 days and can be extended by regularly cutting off dried inflorescences.

Flowers grow well among stones, which create drainage and protect the soil from drying out. Excess fertilizer is not required, and the soil should not be acidic. To do this, add lime or wood ash.

When propagated by cuttings in the spring-summer period, the base and upper part with buds are cut off from the young shoot. The cuttings are germinated in a mixture of earth, humus and sand. The flowers are unpretentious and require watering only in dry times.

After 5 years, perennial bells should be planted in other places. Planting and care with propagation by seeds is done less frequently, since the seedlings develop unevenly and slowly. Flowering in young plants begins only after 2-3 years. Sowing is done in the fall, and seedlings appear in the spring. For early flowering, bushes are planted by division.

The flowers of the Carpathian bell resemble elegant porcelain of light lilac or white color. They stand in water for a long time if you split the ends of the stems and remove the lower leaves.

Bellflower peach

Bluebell will grow on sandy or cultivated clay or loamy soil. It is desirable to have drainage and more humus. Plants are not afraid of shading and prefer soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. You should not add a lot of fertilizers, as this will negatively affect the durability of plants in winter and lead to their rapid aging.

Reproduction of peach-leaved bellflower is done by seeds. They are sown in greenhouses starting in mid-spring. Bells from seeds do not inherit the parental characteristics.

In July, the seedlings are harvested, and in August they are planted in a permanent place. For the winter, the plant is covered with peat or a 15-20 cm layer of dry leaves. With proper care, the bell may bloom next year. If you delay planting or picking, the buds will appear only in the third year.

Peach-leaved species are not long-lived plants, although they are perennial bluebells. Planting and care during propagation by division make it possible to inherit parental characteristics. The transplant is done at the beginning or end of summer, and the roots should be covered with clods of earth. Cuttings are also often used and are done in sand.

For effective flowering, you need to periodically feed the bell. Growing will be effective if fertilizers are applied correctly. In spring, nitrogen is used, and before flowering, various complex mineral fertilizers are used. In addition, faded shoots are pruned so that the blooming bells will delight the eye longer. The photo shows what they can look like with proper care.

Bell dotted

The bell got its name from the presence of specks inside the petal. The plant is common in temperate regions and blooms until autumn. It is distinguished by heads hanging down, collected in inflorescences.

In a wide range of colors you can find bells white, blue, pink, dark red, blue.

Many varieties are capricious. In different habitat conditions, the same one can be terry or ordinary. Among them are many unpretentious plants that decorate the garden.

Growing bluebells is not that easy. Its seeds are extremely small. In order for them to germinate, good light is required. The soil must be light, sand is poured on it, and seeds are placed on top. They are sprayed with water and covered with a gap on top. When shoots appear, the film is temporarily removed from the box during the day. Watering is done very carefully so that the seedlings are not washed away by water. The soil should not dry out, otherwise it will lead to the death of the seedlings. After 3 true leaves appear, the seedlings are planted. Growth occurs unevenly, and some of the remaining plants are buried in the ground and grown until transplanted.

In June, the seedlings are planted in open ground, and at the end of summer the bells begin to bloom. A photo reflecting all the beauty of this species can be seen in our article. Growing bells from seeds is difficult, but it produces rare varieties. They are preserved and propagated by division.

Underground, the dotted bellflower is developing rapidly. To prevent the shoots from spreading further, use plastic or metal strips buried in the ground.

To grow bells, use places with good lighting. Watering during active growth is limited, otherwise the plant may stretch and break under its own weight. After flowering, the bell drops its leaves. It gets along well with other flowers, so it is advisable to add thickeners to it that bloom earlier and later.

Campanula latifolia

The perennial plant has a powerful rhizome and is unpretentious. Racemes of blue, purple or white bloom in early summer. The lower leaves are wide and dense, and the small upper leaves beautifully set off the large flowers.

Seeds are planted at the end of March. To improve germination, cover the top of the soil with a film and keep it moist. Diving is done when two true leaves appear. Seedlings are planted in the ground when constant heat sets in. Flowering begins next year.

Seeds can be planted directly into the ground in late May or early June. There is no need to sprinkle them. The soil is kept moist and covered. Every day the seeds are ventilated, and after germination the shelter is removed.

The rhizomes are divided directly into the ground and then planted. Add humus to the hole and water well. Cuttings are not always successful, so this method is rarely used. For better growth of the root system, special preparations are used, for example, “Kornevin”.

The plants are unpretentious, but lose their decorative properties when there is not enough moisture. Extra watering is also not needed. During growth, complex fertilizers are used. Bells are covered with sawdust or spruce branches for the winter.

Campanula lactiflora

The perennial is winter-hardy. It grows up to 1.7 m in height and up to 0.5 m in width. Flowering occurs magnificently, and the inflorescences are completely covered by leaves and stems. In gardens you can find white, blue-lilac, bluish bells, and also with different shades. Flowering lasts no more than a month. After trimming the faded stems at the end of August, it is repeated, but not so luxuriantly.

Due to its deep roots, it is not advisable to replant the plant; it is better to do this while it is young. The root collar is very vulnerable. When alternating thaws and frosts, the renewal buds may die.

Campanula lactiflora is rarely used in gardens due to its large size. Some plants require support. They are grown in soil with average fertility. Excess moisture is not needed, but during drought it is necessary to water the perennial bluebell. Varieties may also differ in compact plant size, for example, Favorite, Pouffe, White Pouffe.

Campanula equifolia

A perennial plant with proper care blooms and lasts for many years. In nature, the bellflower is found in the Italian Alps. The flowers support fragile stems 30 cm high.

Of all the species, only the bellflower is grown in pots. However, it can grow in alpine hills and flower beds. The indoor bellflower looks beautiful in hanging pots with delicate herbaceous shoots hanging down.

Campanula Bolognese

The perennial belongs to the European-West Asian species. It is also called steppe bellflower. Here it grows in the European part of Russia and the Caucasus. The plant is found in meadows, along river banks, and forest edges.

The bluebell reproduces mainly by seeds. Belongs to a vulnerable species. It is being replaced by land development and livestock grazing. In many regions it is listed in the Red Book.

The plants are tall and bloom for about 3 weeks. The bluish-lavender flowers are small in size and do not grow too densely. The plant survives everywhere, but with poor care the flowering is very modest and short.

The bell quickly loses its decorative effect, so it is advisable to supplement it with other perennials.

Conclusion

Due to their decorative properties and long flowering, perennial bells have become popular in our gardens. Despite their unpretentiousness, they require certain rules of cultivation and care.

All bells have a varied appearance and grow in central Russia and in the south of its country. Flowers tolerate heat, low temperatures and various diseases well. A description of the best varieties and brief information about the homeland of growth are given below.

In the modern world there are many bells that are grown in garden conditions and delight the gardener with their flowers. Now let's look in more detail at the varieties of this plant.

Peach leaf ( Campanula Persicifolia)

This non-perennial variety lives only 2-3 years, after which it dies. It is called Peachleaf because of its leaf blades that resemble peach leaves. The height of the bush is 100 cm. Flowering continues all summer long if drying shoots are pruned in a timely manner. Flowers have different shades:

• Blue;
• Purple-blue;
• White double flowers.

The seed pods ripen at the end of August. Prefers sunny places.

If groundwater lies close to the soil surface in the garden, then there is a need for a drainage pad made of fine gravel 10 cm high.

Field or Meadow

Field bells are found, as the name suggests, in the wild in the fields and meadows of our country. Bush is not very tall, 40 cm. The flowering of the meadow plant lasts throughout June with lilac flowers.

Perennial varieties

All varieties are perennial. And therefore, when choosing a place for them in the garden, you should take this into account.

Garden

There is no separate species of Garden flower, but any wild or varietal flower can grow in the garden.

Roundleaf (Campanula rotundifolia)

The plant is tall and grows to a height of 60 cm. The leaf blades die off during flowering. Blue flowers bloom in June. This type of Bluebell is considered medicinal.

Spreading (Campanula patula)

The Caucasus Mountains are considered the birthplace of this plant. This is a two-year-old plant with a herbaceous straight stem, highly branched, due to which it grows as a very spreading bush. The leaf blades are arranged spirally on the stem, have an oblong shape, pointed towards the end of the plate.

The flowers are collected in a panicle and have a lilac color and, depending on the soil and lighting, sometimes acquire a light purple tint. Each individual flower is shaped like a funnel consisting of five equal parts. Flowering begins in early June and lasts all summer. It easily propagates by self-sowing, but if there is a desire to collect seeds, then you need to catch the moment of their maturation and shake them out of the flower.

Crowded (Campanula glomerata)

The tall plant has a straight, slightly pubescent stem. The leaf blades change as they grow; young ones have the shape of a pointed heart. In an adult plant, in the second year of its life, egg-like leaf plates grow up to 7 cm long and 3 cm wide..

Most flowers are bright blue in color and have a standard bell shape.

The plant is winter-hardy and easily tolerates winters in Russia.

The plant does not tolerate seasonally prolonged rains, and as a result, it is watered only during times of prolonged drought.

Flowering lasts only one month, but if you cut flowers into bouquets, flowering continues throughout the summer.

Altai (Campanula altaika)

A perennial only 25 cm high, the leaf blades are elongated and green. Small blue bells. Flowering occurs at the end of June and lasts about a month.

Siberian (Campanula sibirika)

The plant is not tall up to 20 cm. With green leaves and lilac bells. Flowering lasts all summer and September.

Bolognese (Campanula bononiensis)

It has healing properties; the stem, up to 70 cm high, is crowned with pink bells. The leaves at the bottom are rounded; the leaves at the top are straight and narrow.. Flowering lasts throughout June.

Rapunculoides (Campanula rapunculoides)

Long stems can grow up to a meter in height. The flower arrow is long and all dotted with blue, pink and white bells. This variety blooms all summer.

Broadleaf (Campanula latifolia)

This tall plant grows up to 130 cm and has tight stems. The lower leaf blades have a rounded shape with small teeth along the edge of the plate. The upper leaves are elongated with a pointed end. Flowers grow from the axils of the upper leaves and are up to 4 cm long.. The flower brush itself is 20 cm high. The flowering of the species lasts two months, starting in early July. Depending on the variety, the flowers are:

• Violet;
• Lilac.

Loves the lacy shade of trees and does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

Nettle leaf (Campanula trachelium)

This perennial has a bush height of 55 cm. The leaf blades are similar to nettle leaves, which is why it got its name. Its flowers come in both double and simple forms.. Flowering occurs all summer. It reproduces poorly when dividing the mother bush and has strong frost-resistant qualities.

It reproduces almost exclusively by seed.

Rough-haired Deer (Campanula cervicaria)

It is also popularly called St. John's wort. The plant grows to a height of one meter and has stiff stems. The foliage is gray-green, the lower leaf blades are more rounded than the upper ones. It blooms with small blue bells in May and June.

Growing

This plant can easily be grown on Moorish lawns and garden beds, as it does not cause any trouble in caring for itself.

Planting in open ground

When choosing places in the open ground, you need to choose a place where there will be a lacy shadow of a tree and there is no stagnation of water. Seedlings are planted in early May or June when the threat of return of frost has passed.. There should be plenty of space since bluebell bushes usually grow well.

Bluebell grows well on eastern slopes.

If there is poor soil in the area, add a handful of humus to each hole. A seedling is placed in the center of the hole and earth is poured around it and compacted with hands.

After planting, water the seedlings well.

Care

To prolong the flowering of bluebells, promptly remove faded flowers.

Any variety of bells responds poorly to increased watering, as this can lead to rotting of the plant's root system. The lighting can be quite sunny, but bells also tolerate light partial shade from trees..

Fertilize the plant annually in April with mullein infusion or any nitrogen fertilizer.

Apply all fertilizing to moist soil.

Reproduction

The easiest way to propagate bells of any variety is using seeds.

Seed propagation in spring

In early March, seeds are planted in containers with bottom drainage holes to drain water. Soil is purchased for seedlings or made up yourself, taking in equal proportions:

• Sod land;
• Leaf soil;
• Peat;
• Sand.

The seeds are watered and covered with glass or a transparent bag to improve seed germination. When most of the seeds show their noses from the ground, the cover is removed, placed in a brighter place, but without direct sunlight, so that the tender seedlings do not burn. Further care consists of timely watering and rotating the seedlings relative to the sun.

Maintain good lighting and moderate humidity, otherwise the blackleg disease may appear.

Seed propagation in open ground

Seeds are sown in early November or spring in May in previously prepared soil. There is no need to soak the seeds; they are mixed with sand and poured evenly onto the ground. The first shoots appear after 15 days. Further care is carried out with the help of watering and timely weeding.

If the weather is cold in the spring in May, the bellflower crops are covered with any shelter.

Dividing the bush

This breeding is carried out at the end of May or at the beginning of September, when the intense heat subsides. The old mother bush is dug up and divided with the tip of a shovel so that each part contains growing points and a root system. Then they are planted in prepared holes with the addition of nitrogen fertilizer and well watered. After all the manipulations, the soil around the seedling is compacted by hand and mulched with straw.

Carry out the entire procedure of dividing the bush quickly so that the fibrous root system of the plant does not dry out.

Homeland and where it grows now

The homeland is considered to be areas with a temperate climate. At the moment he can be found:

• In Siberia;
• In the Caucasus;
• In Asia;
• In Ukraine.

Prefers to grow on rocky surfaces and mountain slopes. Digitalis

Growing in the garden and in natural conditions

In the garden Bluebell of any variety receives more care than the wild variety, and therefore its flowers can be larger and brighter when grown in garden conditions. Also, the flowering time of the Garden Bluebell is one month longer.

History and cultural use

This plant began to be cultivated in gardening in the 16th century. At first, wild species were planted in the garden, but eventually, botanists developed plants that were more decorative than their wild relatives.

At the moment, it is planted very often, decorating various landscape compositions with it. Blooming bells look very cute, but this is not the only advantage of flowers. It looks very beautiful planted as part of the Moorish lawn.

The bell amazes with its large number of varieties with which you can decorate your garden. And at the same time, it requires absolutely no complicated care.

Bell (Campanula) is a herbaceous plant of the Campanaceae family, numbering 300 species, growing in countries with temperate climates. In cultivation there are annual, biennial and perennial plants. Among the wide variety of bells, there are both low-growing ones, only 10-15 cm, and tall ones, up to 2 meters in height. Plant height may vary depending on growing conditions, so it is not a characteristic feature for identifying the species.

The bell has erect, branched stems, which can be either pubescent or smooth, with alternate whole leaves. There are ampelous and groundcover types of bells with flexible lodging shoots. In perennial and varietal biennial bells grown from seeds, flowering occurs in the second year.

The flowers of the bell are very beautiful, bell-shaped or star-shaped, white, blue, purple, pink, collected in racemes or paniculate, dense or loose inflorescences. Bellflower flowers contain large amounts of pollen and nectar, which attracts bees. The aroma of bluebell flowers is delicate, reminiscent of the aroma of a fragrant meadow or a shady forest edge.

After flowering, a fruit is formed - a capsule, which has a special structure. At the bottom of the box there are holes covered with flaps. When it is cloudy, the valves are closed, but in dry weather they open, and the seeds spill out and are carried by the wind. The color of the seeds of different types of bells may vary: from milky white to dark red or brown.

The bell, in addition to the fact that its height changes depending on growing conditions, has one more feature: it can change the color of the corolla depending on air humidity. If the air humidity is high, the flowers become a little lighter, and this makes them seem more tender.

Light-loving bells, grow well in partial shade, some species even tolerate shade.

They are suitable for well-drained, non-acidic (or slightly acidic for some species), moderately moist, loose, nutritious soil. Bells can be planted in the ground and replanted in both spring and autumn. Several of the most decorative types of bells are suitable for garden cultivation.

Types of bells

Campanula ciliata (Campanula ciliate) is a herbaceous perennial with a taproot, thickened. The stems are slightly leafy, 7 - 15 cm high. There is one flower on the stem. The basal rosettes are formed by oblong, linear-lanceolate, serrated along the edges, leaves. The flower at the base of the calyx is slightly lighter, blue-violet; at the upper limbs of the corolla the color is more saturated, violet. As it fades, the flower becomes increasingly lighter in color to a blue-blue color. Blooms in June-July.

The ciliated bell prefers slightly alkaline or neutral, fertile, well-drained soils. If you use deep planting, the bluebell tolerates drought better, and the flowering time increases slightly.

It produces seeds, but their germination rate is low. The ciliated bell belongs to the highly decorative types of bells.

Bellflower (Campanula cochleariifolia) is a low herbaceous perennial, up to 15 cm in height, with very thin, thread-like, creeping stems, forming a dense turf. The leaves are small, elongated at the stem, semi-oval at the end, three-toothed at the edges, very decorative throughout the growing season until late autumn. It blooms with white, blue, blue flowers, the size of the flowers is up to 1 cm in diameter. The flowers of the bellflower are drooping, collected in small inflorescences. Flowering period: June - July. There are varieties, including those with white flowers. It looks good on an alpine hill, grows quickly, forms a continuous turf, and looks impressive during the flowering period.

Portenschlag's bell (Campanula portenschlagiana) is a perennial herbaceous evergreen ground cover plant up to 15 cm tall. When growing, it forms cushion-shaped thickets up to 30 cm wide. The leaves are round, serrated along the edges, ivy-shaped, evergreen. Star-shaped flowers of bright purple or lilac color, collected in small inflorescences at the ends of creeping shoots. It blooms from mid-June for a month. There are varieties.

Portenschlag's bell grows well in both sun and shade. Prefers alkaline or neutral, nutritious, well-drained soil. Does not tolerate clay soils at all. If the site has clay soil, you need to add sand and humus to make the soil moisture- and breathable.

Portenschlag's bell is propagated by seeds and vegetatively, preferably in spring, by pieces of shoots with roots. It overwinters without shelter, but does not tolerate stagnation of melt water and damps out, so for planting they use elevated places such as a rock garden or a retaining wall, or arrange good drainage.

Portenschlag's bell grows quickly and blooms profusely. It can be used not only on an alpine hill, but also in continuous plantings. In the rock garden it looks beautiful with phlox, carnation grass, fescue, geranium, sedum, and sedum.

Campanula garganica (Campanula garganica) is a perennial herbaceous plant, up to 15 cm tall, with fragile, creeping shoots, rising tops. Forms a low compact bush. The leaves are medium-sized, round, jagged along the edges, on petioles. The flowers are blue, fully open with outstretched petals, resembling stars, up to 4 cm in diameter. Flowering period is July. It blooms very profusely, during flowering the leaves are not even visible. There are varieties with pale blue, light lavender flowers.

Gargan bell is a very whimsical plant for the garden. Prefers only non-acidic, well-drained, nutritious soils, usually loams, does not tolerate stagnation of melt and waste water, and does not grow in shade.

Propagated by pieces of rooted shoots in spring or late summer; if necessary, cuttings are grown in a greenhouse.

It is best to grow the Gargan bell in the summer in an alpine hill, borders, and flowerpots. For the winter, the bell can be transplanted into a pot and kept as a houseplant in winter.

Pozharsky's bell (Campanula poscharskyana) is a herbaceous perennial that can be used as a ground cover plant, as it forms cushion-shaped spreading thickets up to 20 cm high. The basal leaves of Pozharsky's bell are quite large, rounded, with jagged edges. During the growing season it forms long, up to 80 cm, creeping shoots. Star-shaped flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter, blue, lavender, lilac, dark blue, collected in loose inflorescences up to 10-20 cm in diameter, located at the ends of the shoots.

Flowering period: July-August for 30-40 days. There are varieties.

Pozharsky's bell is a very hardy, unpretentious and ornamental plant. Grows well in well-drained neutral and alkaline soils, prefers lacy partial shade.

It overwinters without additional shelter, as it can withstand frosts down to -40 o C. It is very easily propagated vegetatively, by cuttings of stems with roots in the spring and by seeds. Looks good on an alpine hill next to carnation, carnation, saxifrage, and subulate phlox. Pozharsky's bell can be used for carpet plantings.

Campanula rotundifolia (Campanula rotundifolia) is a widespread herbaceous perennial. The height of the plant varies from 10 to 60 centimeters. The rhizome is thin, creeping, branched. The bell received its name because its basal leaves are round in shape. The stem leaves, like those of many bellflower species, are lanceolate. May have several stems.

In the round-leaved bell, the basal leaves dry out earlier, and the stem leaves, fresh and green, are perfectly preserved until autumn.

The flowers are small, blue, collected in paniculate inflorescences at the ends of the stems. There are garden varieties: velvety, garden, arctic.

Campanula equifolia (Campanula isophylla Moretti) is a perennial herbaceous plant with small, up to 30 cm, flexible, drooping stems. The leaves of Campanula equifolia are round, sometimes pubescent, light green or olive. The flowers are bell-shaped, up to 4 cm in diameter, white and blue. Much less often you can find a form with purple flowers. In indoor floriculture, the bellflower is widely known by the names: groom - with blue flowers, and bride - with white flowers.

In the garden, the bellflower blooms all summer and during flowering it is completely covered with flowers. Very handsome! To prevent flowering from weakening, you need to promptly remove faded flowers and pinch shoots for better branching. It can be grown in hanging baskets, on retaining walls, or in rock gardens.

Campanula equifolia is light-loving; in the shade the shoots grow, flowering becomes less intense. Loves moisture. It tolerates summer temperature changes well, but it does not overwinter in open ground in our climatic conditions with cold winters, so in the fall it needs to be transplanted into a pot and kept as a houseplant in winter.

Bluebell Carpathian (Campanula carpatica) is a perennial herbaceous plant with branched stems 30-50 cm high. The basal heart-shaped leaves on long petioles are collected in a rosette. The flowers are large, blue and white, bell-shaped, up to 3 centimeters in diameter.

Flowering is long-lasting, from June to September. Carpathian bellflower reproduces well by seeds, dividing the bush and root suckers.

It grows very well in open areas and in partial shade, prefers fertile soils with the addition of peat and humus, and is frost-resistant. It can grow in one place for up to 5 years.

Carpathian bellflower is suitable for creating carpet plantings instead of lawn grasses, it can be planted in the border, it looks great on an alpine hill.

There are varieties. A very common variety of Carpathian bell, Gnome, is one of the most unpretentious. The height of the plant does not exceed 30 cm, the color of the flowers is white and blue, flowering is very long, from June to September.

Bell Takeshima (Campanula takesimana), Korean bell is a herbaceous perennial that forms low thickets up to 60 cm in height. The stems are creeping, with erect tips. The leaves are heart-shaped, with a wavy edge, on petioles. It blooms with white, blue, pink single or double flowers, up to 6-7 cm long. The flowers are slightly drooping and appear throughout the summer.

Takeshima bell develops best in loose, fertile soils, both in sunny and partial shade. It grows very quickly and produces many lateral shoots that can be easily separated in spring or autumn.

Bluebell crowded (Campanula glomerata) is a perennial herbaceous plant with simple or weakly branched leafy shoots 30-60 centimeters high. The basal leaves of the bellflower are oblong, on long petioles, the upper ones are sessile, lanceolate, serrated along the edge.

The flowers are white, blue, dark purple, up to 2 cm in diameter, collected in capitate inflorescences of up to 20 pieces. Flowering period - June-July for 1-1.5 months. In the crowded bell, usually after flowering the basal rosettes along with the stems die off, but before that the root system manages to form many new rosettes, which is why it grows very quickly.

The crowded bell can be grown both in sunny places and in partial shade. Grows best in moist, nutritious, light sandy loam or medium loamy soils. The crowded bell is easily propagated by seeds, which can be sown before winter, as well as by separating young rosettes in spring or autumn.

Bellflower peach (Campanula persicifolia) is a perennial herbaceous plant. From a rosette of basal linear leaves grows a straight ribbed leafy stem 0.5 to 1 meter high. The stem leaves are narrow, lanceolate, shiny, serrated along the edges.

The peach-leaved bell blooms with white, blue, light purple, blue-violet single flowers or collected in a racemose loose inflorescence of 3-8 pieces. The flowers are quite large, double in varietal forms, with a diameter of 4 - 5 cm. There are varieties.

The peach-leaved bellflower blooms from June to September. After flowering, it is recommended to trim the flower stalks in order to encourage new flowering, and also to prevent the bluebell from spreading throughout the garden by self-sowing. The peach bell is completely unpretentious in care and grows well both in partial shade and in open sunny areas. Prefers well-drained soils.

In hot weather, watering is advisable. Overwinters without shelter. Propagates well both by seeds and by dividing the bush. Without division, it forms a large clump in 3-4 years, so its growth in the flower garden has to be limited.

Next to the peach-leaf bell in the flower garden you can plant evening primrose, chistets, parsley, alpine aster, matricaria, cineraria.

Campanula nettlefolia (Campanula trachelium) - a plant up to 1 m high. It has a white, cord-like, deep-lying rhizome, spreading in different directions. Numerous erect, thick, ribbed stems, simple or branched, covered with stiff hairs. The leaves are very similar to nettle leaves and are also covered with hairs. The lower leaves are ovate, up to 10 cm in length, on long petioles, the middle ones are heart-shaped, on short petioles, the upper ones are oval-lanceolate, sessile. The flowers are white, blue, blue, violet, 1-3 each, located in the axils of the leaves, collected in a racemose inflorescence up to 45 cm long. Flowering period: late June - early August.

The nettle-leaved bell grows in open sunny places and can also withstand partial shade. It grows better in well-drained, nutritious, neutral or slightly alkaline soils.

During the dry season, the bell needs watering. After flowering it produces abundant self-seeding; the flower stalks are cut off immediately after flowering, otherwise it becomes a strong weed.

The nettle-leaved bell is propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, segments of rhizomes, root suckers, and green cuttings. Reproduction and transplantation can be carried out both in spring and autumn, in early September.

Preparing for winter. At the end of September - beginning of October, all bellflower stems are cut off at the root. It winters well without shelter. However, it should be remembered that it absolutely cannot tolerate stagnation of melt water during wintering: the roots rot and the rosette freezes.

Nettle-leaved bellflower is planted singly against the background of a lawn or in groups in mixborders, ridges, borders. In the flower garden it goes well with cornflower, cornflowers, delphinium, poppy, low ornamental grasses, daylily, foxglove, calendula, phlox.

Medium bell (Campanula medium) - herbaceous biennial, 0.5-1 meter high. The basal leaves are oval or lanceolate, the stem leaves are broadly lanceolate. The flowers are white, blue, pink, very large, up to 7 cm in length, very beautiful. Bluebell average can be grown in the garden as a perennial due to natural renewal due to shedding and germinating seeds.

Medium bell, grown from seeds, blooms in the second year, blooming from June to September. For long-lasting flowering, it is recommended to trim off faded flower stalks. The middle bell prefers bright places. The plant is moisture-loving, but on damp, poorly drained soils the rosette becomes wet and damp.

The middle bell is very common in garden floriculture; many varieties and varieties have been bred, differing in the doubleness of the flowers, the size of the overgrown calyx, and the dissection of the teeth.

Campanula lactiflora (Campanula lactiflora) is a tall perennial plant, the height of the stems varies greatly, ranging from 60 cm to 1.5 m, depending on both the variety and growing conditions. It has a taproot and a highly branched stem. The lower leaves are on short petioles, the upper ones are sessile, oblong, toothed. Thanks to its root system, it grows well on heavy loams, which makes it different from other types of bells. Numerous bell-shaped flowers, up to 3-4 cm in length, milky white, blue, light purple, lilac in color, collected in wide pyramidal inflorescences. There are up to hundreds of flowers in one inflorescence. Blooms profusely in June-July. There are varietal forms with flowers of different colors.

Campanula lactiflora prefers an open sunny place. It is propagated mainly by seeds, and the seeds are sown immediately in open ground in the main place, and then the seedlings are thinned out. This is due to the fact that the bellflower does not tolerate transplantation. Although the bellflower does not tolerate division well, if desired, it can still be propagated in the spring by small, 10-15 cm long, basal shoots-cuttings, which are first rooted in a greenhouse.

The bellflower milkflower grows in one place for 10-12 years, it is one of the longest-living representatives of the genus.

Preparing for winter. At the end of September, the stems are cut off and the root rosettes are sprinkled with leaves.

The article uses materials from https://ru.wikipedia.org, http://flower.onego.ru, http://www.plantopedia.ru
Image source www.plantarium.ru (Tatiana Vinokurova), www.biolib.cz: Michael Kesl, www.99roots.com, www.perryhillnurseries.co.uk, dic.academic.ru, http://tuinplantendepauw.be, www .pinterest.com, flickr.com: mr.bong.bing, Hans Hillewaert, Andreas Kay, naturgucker.de / enjoynature.net (2), NB Photos, Finn Jensen, 11299883, Peter Laughton (2), Amselchen, Stephen Rees , Marta, Rob (2), Ross Bayton, Nicholas Turland, Vojtěch Zavadil, John Weiser, equipaje, Tango, Zuzka Grujbárová, Native Sons Melissa G, Gebr. ten Have (5), John Weiser, Changxu Pang, eleonora mariotti, Robert Strusievicz, Janet Ulliott, BEARTOMCAT (Bear) (2), Cristina, ankiask. Francis Ackerley, JardinsLeeds (2), Ben Rushbrooke, Linda Daley, Florian Brault, Megan Hansen (2), jacki-dee (2), Ewa, Shawn Beelman, Valery Chernodedov, Chironius, Alan (2), Valleybrook Perennials, Shigemi. J, Michel Pierfitte, longk48, Takashi .M @Mon jardin (2), Winsors Farm, caroline, b1zarr0, angela garrod (3), Javier Pelayo, Peter Hegi, Angle Shades, gianna elena, tomokotouzaki tomokotouzaki, Süleyman Demir, Nobuhiro Suhara , ntson, Un jardí al riu Anoia, Debbie, Sylvi, Swaentje5, Van Swearingen, Michael Ruecker, Randal Atkinson, Dietmut Teijgeman-Hansen, Jean-Maurice Turgeon, fromseeds, mentos2

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

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.