10 Best Campanulas To Grow

Campanulas are a diverse group of plants, including small, creeping species and towering perennials (meaning they come back each year). All have beautiful, usually blue, flowers, and most are attractive to pollinators.

Campanulas are part of the Campanulaceae family, which also includes lobelias, isotomas and platycodon. Many can take a good degree of shade, so are suitable for dark corners or small gardens overlooked by walls and fences.

In gardens, you’re likely to have come across small, spreading campanulas such as Campanula poscharskyana and Campanula portenschlagiana, which are often found growing in the crevices of walls and paving stones.

Most campanulas grow naturally on chalky grasslands and woodland edges, which is great news if you’re gardening on an alkaline soil. Campanulas require moist but free-draining soil – they tend to suffer in winter wet. Some thrive in sun while others tolerate shade.

Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering. Taller species can be cut back in autumn.

More on growing campanulas:

• How to propagate campanulas
• Begonia and campanula hanging basket
• Plants with purple flowers

Read on for our pick of the best campanulas to grow.

Campanula rotundifolia is a creeping perennial species that thrives on dry, nutrient-poor soils, which in the UK includes chalky grasslands. It flowers from around midsummer to early autumn and is often visited by pollinating insects. Grow in sun or partial shade.

• Buy Campanula rotundifolia from Naturescape

Height x Spread: 30cm x 30cm

Perfect for sunny or partially shaded, free-draining spots in the garden, Campanula portenschlagiana is a mat-forming perennial campanula that requires