Campanula primulifolia
Forum Archives
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Jul-12-2007 at 9:52pm
Anyone know if this is a well behaved bellflower? A clumper or a runner?
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Jul-13-2007 at 5:48pm
I haven't grown it myself, but I did read a report about it and saw some pictures from someone in Vancouver, WA. She said it grew to a clump about 12-16 inches across in 2-3 years, but didn't say what size it started out. The leaves look very much like a primrose and it seems to be growing in the same kind of clump. It looked like she had it growing in very good conditions. Very nice stalks of blue flowers. One person in the UK said it didn't survive their wet winters. Another place said it was good for damp shade, but like most Campanulas around here, I bet full sun is fine as long as it's not a hot, dry location.
Fern
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Jul-13-2007 at 5:52pm
Thanks Fern, I think I will take a chance with it. It is definitely a beauty.
Briarwood
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Island
Posted: Jul-21-2007 at 10:33am
Hi Debbie. We started this from seeds obtained from the Northwest Perennial Alliance seed exchange last year. They were easy to get going, which leads me to think they might just as easily self-sow, so we're going to keep an eye on them.
The plants are great, forming a basal rosette of primrose-like leaves, from which a main stem and multiple branching stems arise. The entire plant is covered with stiff bristles, which makes it marginally unpleasant to brush up against, but also makes it (so far) completely deer-resistent in our garden.
Be aware that these have become much larger than we anticipated, at around 4-5 feet tall and about 3 feet around. Of course, we planted them near the front of borders, where they have formed a wall of green. They are just about to flower, though, so we're hoping for a wall of blue soon.
So far, definitely clumping. But like I said, being concerned that they will sow themselves everywhere, we will probably deadhead most of them, leaving only a couple that we can gather seed from.
I'll try to post a photo once they're in full bloom.
Richard, Briarwood Garden
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" -Mary Oliver
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Jul-21-2007 at 11:38pm
Richard, Thanks for your input. Yes, I would love to see how it looks.
Briarwood
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Island
Posted: Jul-23-2007 at 7:18pm Hi all,
Well, the Campanula primulifolia finally decided it was time to bloom. I've posted two photos in the Photo Gallery.
Beautiful color. They match the color of the nearby Geranium 'Rozanne' almost perfectly and are spectacular with the fading heads of Allium christophii.
Richard, Briarwood Garden
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" -Mary Oliver
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Jul-24-2007 at 5:49pm
They are beautiful. They sound like they may behave similar to Campanula persicifolia. I am going to go ahead and order some then.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton