Native Plant Database

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Campanula rotundifolia (Bluebell bellflower)
Weyand, Phyllis

Campanula rotundifolia L.

Bluebell bellflower, Bluebell-of-Scotland, Harebell

Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)

USDA Symbol: CARO2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A delicate perennial with graceful, slender stems, usually in clusters, rising in height from 4-15 in. The stems can be weak so that the entire plant bends over. Its rounded, basal leaves wither early while the narrow, stem leaves remain. Blue-violet bell-shaped flowers hang singly or in clusters along the top parts of nodding, thread-like, mostly unbranched stems that grow in small patches. The nodding, bell-shaped, lavender flowers are borne in loose clusters at stem tips.

The genus name, from the Latin campana (bell), means little bell. The name Harebell may allude to an association with witches, who were believed able to transform themselves into hares, portents of bad luck when they crossed a persons path. In Scotland, another old name for this plant was Witches Thimble. The characteristics of this perennial vary considerably, depending on habitat conditions. Among other common species are the Southern Harebell (C. divaricata), with wider leaves and smaller, white or pale lavender flowers, typical of wet, grassy meadows. The common garden Bellflower (C. rapunculoides), which frequently escapes from cultivation, has flowers usually borne on one side of the stems and lanceolate or heart-shaped leaves.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , ID , IL , IN , IA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MO , MT , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OR , PA , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Circumpolar, s. to MD, n. IN, n.e. IA, NE & n. CA; also s. in mts. to TX & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Moist, rocky, mt. slopes; dry meadows & prairies; open woods; limey cliffs; beaches
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Harebell is easily cultured and does well in a variety of sites including rock gardens. Flowers are long lasting.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds

Propagation

Description: For best results, seeds should be sown inside and not covered after sowing. They should be bottom-watered. These seedlings will germinate quickly but will not flower until the second year. Root cuttings or stem cuttings stuck in damp sand are other propagation methods useful for this species.
Seed Collection: Approximate collection date in northern U.S.: late Jul. through mid Sep.
Seed Treatment: No treatment. Seeds may need light for good germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Campanula rotundifolia (Bluebell bellflower) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Centaurea cyanus (garden cornflower)
   Cichorium intybus (chicory)

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: We recently were required to put in a new septic system on our vacation property in Door County, WI. This left us with a clearing on our wooded lot where the septic field is now located. The installers said it was too late to plant wildflowers on this plot(weeds as he called them) so they planted grass seed instead. My question is, are there native varieties of wildflowers (such as Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Phlox or others) that could have been planted as late as July or could still be planted this coming Fall? If so I would welcome your suggestions. I am definitely not happy with the stringy unnatural-looking lawn I see emerging in the middle of our nicely wooded lot.
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Question: We care for Lake Michigan dune near our home in New Buffalo and would like to provide erosion control with native species that will also enhance the beauty of the dune with long lasting flowers. The soil (which is a bit of a stretch as it's actually mostly sand) contains rocks from earlier large scale erosion control (concrete debris) has full sun and is generally hot and dry. Your help would be appreciated! With a plan in hand, we hope to engage the neighborhood in this project as well! Many thanks.
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Question: Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am in need of a plant name to purchase. It is absolutely beautiful. The plant has light green leaves, the flowers that bloom look like bells (of course they hang upside down) any idea what the name of this plant is?
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Question: I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Saturday April 21. What a beautiful place. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I was wondering how I could find out what are the native wildflowers of Northern Indiana. I live in Warsaw, IN. It is 3 hours north of Indianapolis between South Bend and Fort Wayne. I have a lovely home in the country with all the wildlife and all the space that I need. I just planted 10 flowering trees and I have flower beds of the flowers I enjoy. The soil is very sandy but would like to know the wildflowers that are indigenous to Northern Indiana. Thanks for any assistance that you can provide.
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Wildflower Farm - Coldwater, ON
Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, S.
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Campanula rotundifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Campanula rotundifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Campanula rotundifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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