Campanula rotundifolia (harebell)
Campanula rotundifolia (harebell) is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae. It has a circumpolar distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, from about latitude 40° N to about 70° N, extending in Europe from the north Mediterranean to the arctic.
In Scotland, it is often known as the bluebell. Elsewhere in Britain, bluebell refers to Hyacinthoides non-scripta, and in North America, bluebell refers to Virginia bluebell. Campanula rotundifolia was historically also known by several other names including blawort, hair-bell, lady's thimble, witch's bells, and witch's thimbles.
Description
Campanula rotundifolia is a perennial species of flowering plant, a slender, prostrate to erect herb, spreading by seed and rhizomes. The basal leaves are long-stalked, rounded to heart-shaped, usually slightly toothed, with prominent hydathodes, and often wither early. Leaves on the flowering stems are long and narrow and the upper ones are unstemmed. The inflorescence is a panicle or raceme, with 1 – many flowers borne on very slender pedicels. The flowers usually have five (occasionally 4, 6 or 7) pale to mid violet-blue petals fused together into a bell shape, about 12–30 mm (15⁄32–1 3⁄16 in) long and five long, pointed green sepals behind them. Plants with pale pink or white flowers may also occur. The petal lobes are triangular and curve outwards. The seeds are produced in a capsule about 3–4 mm (1⁄8–5⁄32 in) diameter and are released by pores at the base of the capsule. Seedlings are minute, but established plants can compete with tall grass. As with many other Campanulas, all parts of the plant exude white latex when injured or broken.
The flowering period is long, and varies by location. In the British Isles, harebell flowers from July to November. In Missouri, it flowers from May to August; in Minnesota, from June to October. The flowers are pollinated by bees, but can self-pollinate.
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Campanula rotundifolia
Harebell
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Campanula rotundifolia is a slender rhizomatous perennial wildflower. Foliage is bright green and rounded, heart shaped or linear on various parts of the plant. In summer, pendant bell shaped violet blooms are borne in terminal racemes. Plants are often described as having a delicate appearance but as far as culture goes, they are tough as nails. They flourish in harsh sites like dry grasslands and can even thrive in rock crevices. This charmer would be a delightful addition to a cottage garden or rock garden where the blossoms can provide tasty nectar for bees.
HABITAT & HARDINESS: Native to Canada, Great Britain and northern Europe. Occurs through most of the United States except for Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma and the southeastern states. Campanula rotundifolia is indigenous to sandy oak savannas, dry prairies and grasslands, heaths, crevices of limestone or dolomite rock formations, gravelly deposits along creeks and roadsides. Plants are found most often in undisturbed habitats with rocky slopes.
Hardy from USDA Zones 3-8.
PLANT DESCRIPTION: Campanula rotundifolia is an upright unbranched wildling that is anchored by a sturdy taproot. Plants produce several erect stems from an underground rhizome.
The toothed basal leaves are bright green and rounded. Upper leaves are narrower and either heart shaped or linear.
The stems terminate in a dazzling raceme of violet bell shaped florets that dangle from slender stalks. The florets are less than 1” long with 5 curved lobes. They are frequented by butterflies and bees from summer into the fall. The resulting fruit is an unobtrusive oval capsule that is full of tiny seed.
Plants usually attain a height of 6-18” and a 1’ spread.
CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Campanula rotundifolia grows best in sunny or lightly shaded sites with good drainage.
Plants tolerate drought, shallow rocky infertile sites and acid or alkaline soils. Plants will decline if shaded by aggressive companions.
In a happy setting, Campanula rotundifolia will reseed. Seedlings often settle into cracks in cliff faces or retaining walls. Plants are fairly pest resistant but are occasionally nibbled by deer and other herbivores.
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