Campanula versicolor
Vari-coloured bell flower
- Height × spread
- 0.4m × 0.2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is somewhat variable across its range and might best be bought when in flower. The spiky-looking flowers are coloured a light blue-purple and recurve their petals to reveal an area of white at the base and a blue throat. Sometimes there is some reddish suffusion. The leaves are quite broad and the flowers, held on long slender stems, have a clove-like fragrance. It flowers during July and August and may self-seed. This needs to be frost-free in winter so should be brought under cover in autumn.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Lift before frost
The plant can be lifted before there is frost and repotted and kept in a frost free area for the winter. It can be returned to the garden when all danger of frost is passed.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Protect from slugs & snails
Protect young plants and new growth from slugs; mature plants can withstand slugs though damage affects their appearance. Apply nematodes in Spring. Or sprinkle organic slug pellets thinly around plants. Barrier methods, eg copper tape, may help.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Found in
More Campanula
Campanula
Bellflower, Canterbury bells
Campanula 'Kent Belle'
Bellflower
Campanula carpatica
Carpathian bellflower, Tussock bellflower, Carpathian harebell
Campanula carpatica 'Blaue Clips'
Carpathian bellflower, Tussock bellflower, Carpathian harebell
Campanula glomerata 'Superba'
Clustered bellflower, Danesblood bellflower
Campanula lactiflora 'Loddon Anna'
Milky bellflower
Campanula persicifolia
Willow bellflower, Peach bells, Peach leaf bellflower
Campanula persicifolia 'Takion Blue'
Willow bellflower, Peach bells, Peach leaf bellflower