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 Blooming
Plants
Campanula
BOTANICAL NAME
Campanula spp. (cam-PAN-yoo-la)
COMMON NAMES
Bellflower, Bluebell, Chimney bells, Canterbury bells,
Star-of-Bethlehem, Falling stars
DESCRIPTION
This group includes annual, biennial and perennial plants with
many forms and uses. The flowers are bell- or funnel-shaped, are
1inch to 2 inches wide and come in loose clusters at the ends of
long stems.
COLORS
Most Campanula varieties are available in violet-blue, purple,
pink and white.
CONSUMER LIFE
Each flower may last only five to seven days, but the plant
itself can last for many months with proper care. Only a few
flowers usually are open at any given time, meaning that the
plant can be in bloom indoors for three weeks or more, and
perennial varieties can then be planted outdoors for longer
enjoyment.
AVAILABILITY
Campanula are available year-round
VARIETIES
Here are some of the more popular species and varieties of
Campanulas:
• C. carpatica ‘Blue Ball’ (Tussock bellflower) (purple)
• C. carpatica ‘Pearl Blue’, ‘Pearl White’ (Tussock bellflower)
(blue)
• C. isophylla ‘Alba’, ‘Napoli’ (Italian bellflower,
Star-of-Bethlehem) (white)
• C. portenschlagiana ‘Blue Sky’ (Dalmatian bellflower) (purple)
• C. portenschlagiana ‘Pkmp01’, ‘Get Mee™’ (Serbian bellflower)
(purple)
• C. poscharskyana ‘White Star’ (Bellflower) (purple)
• C. x haylodgensis ‘Blue Wonder’, ‘White Wonder’ (Bellflower)
(blue, white)
IN-STORE AND CONSUMER CARE
LIGHT Bright, indirect light
is best for plants displayed indoors. For outdoor plants, full
sun to light shade in the warmest climates is recommended.
WATER Keep the soil moist at
all times. Irregular watering and drying can cause bud drop.
Avoid standing water.
TEMPERATURE Warm areas (65 F
to 75 F) are best for displaying and storing Campanula plants.
Do not refrigerate Campanulas because sudden drops in
temperature can result in blossom drop, wilt or burn.
HUMIDITY Campanulas benefit
from daily misting. Moderate humidity is required.
FERTILIZER Healthy,
fertilized plants are more tolerant of insect attacks. Be sure
plants are well watered before applying fertilizer, which should
be applied at half rate sparingly during the spring and summer.
Do not fertilize during the winter.
SOIL Campanulas will do best
in an acidic, moist, well-drained soil.
GROOMING Cut these plants
back when they have finished flowering to remove straggly stems
and faded flowers. Trimming also will stimulate new, healthy
growth and additional blossoms.
CHALLENGES
ETHYLENE SENSITIVITY All
Campanulas are moderately sensitive to ethylene gas, and some
species are more sensitive than others. Check with your supplier
to make sure your plants have been treated with an anti-ethylene
agent at the grower level or during transportation.
PESTS Several insects are
likely to show up on Campanulas. Check frequently for aphids,
thrips, scales, whiteflies and slugs should be checked for
frequently.
FUN FACTS
FAMILY Campanula is a member
of the Campanulaceae, or bellflower, family. There are about 70
genera and more than 2,000 species of this family. Relatives
include Platycodon (balloon flower), Lobelia and Wahlenbergia.
ORIGINS Campanulas are
native to Europe.
Some information provided by:
The Chain of Life NetworkÆ
www.chainoflifenetwork.org
Nurserymen’s Exchange, Inc.,
www.bloomrite.com
The Flower Council of Holland
www.flowercouncil.org
Young Plants International bvba
www.youngplants.be
Addenda PRO www.addenda.dk
You may reach “Blooming Plant of the Month” writer Steven W.
Brown, AIFD, at
sbfloral@aol.com or by phone at (415) 239-3140.
Images courtesy of Nurserymen’s Exchange, Inc.
To enjoy the rest of this
issue, please go to the
Subscriptions page and get your
copy of Super Floral Retailing today!!!
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Super Floral Retailing • Copyright 2006
Florists' Review Enterprises, Inc.
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