Campanula

Campanula Canterbury Bells – Best Plants In New Zealand!

Adding colourful perennials such as Campanula Canterbury Bells to your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
• They attract birds and bees.
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the largest variety of Canterbury Bell flower plants, and the right one for your space. Our Campanula plants have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Campanula, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Campanula Questions

1. Does campanula come back every year?

Most Campanula are perennial plants, meaning they come back every year. However, there are a few biennial and annual Campanula species. Perennial Campanula plants will often die back during winter and re-emerge in the spring.

2. When should you plant Campanula?

The best time to plant Campanula is during spring, after the last frost has passed. This will give the plants time to establish themselves before summer. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of the plant. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, firming gently to remove any air pockets. Water the plant well and mulch around them to control weeds and retain moisture.

3. What is the easiest Campanula to grow?

The easiest Campanula to grow in New Zealand is Campanula carpatica, also known as Carpathian bellflower. It is a perennial native to the Carpathian Mountains of Central Europe and is a popular choice because of its great aesthetics and ease to grow.

Campanula carpatica is relatively fast-growing and can reach 30 cm tall. It has dark green leaves and produces masses of bell-shaped flowers in summer and autumn that are blue, purple, pink, or white.

4. Is Campanula the same as bellflower?

Campanula is the same as bellflower. There are over 300 species of Campanula, and they are found all over the world. Bellflowers are renowned for their bell-shaped flowers, which are blue, purple, pink, or white. They are often used in cut flower arrangements. Some of the most common bellflower species include:

• Campanula carpatica (Carpathian bellflower)
• Campanula glomerata (clustered bellflower)
• Campanula persicifolia (peach-leaved bellflower)
• Campanula portenschlagiana (Dalmatian bellflower)
• Campanula rotundifolia (harebell)

5. Do Campanulas spread?

Many Campanula species spread, either by rhizomes or by self-seeding. This can make them a good choice for groundcover or for adding to a mixed planting.

6. Does Campanula flower twice?

Many Campanula species can flower twice in a growing season. Campanula carpatica and Campanula persicifolia typically flower in spring and early summer, and then again in autumn. Campanula takesimana blooms continuously through summer and autumn.

Here are some tips for encouraging your Campanula plants to flower twice:

• Deadhead the spent flowers.
• Feed the plants regularly with a balanced fertiliser.
• Water the plants regularly, especially during summer.

7. Does campanula like sun or shade?

Most campanula varieties thrive in full sun or partial shade. As a guide:

• Full sun: Campanula persicifolia, Campanula pyramidalis, Campanula carpatica
• Partial shade: Campanula glomerata, Campanula punctata, Campanula trachelium
• Shade: Campanula latifolia, Campanula portenschlagiana

8. How long do campanula last?

Campanulas are perennials, meaning they come back year after year if properly cared for. They can live for many years, often 5-10 years or even longer. Some even spread and form larger clumps over time.

9. Where is the best place to plant campanula?

The best place to plant your campanula depends on:

1. Variety: Different campanula species have different needs. Some prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade or even full shade. Some prefer moist soil, while others tolerate drier conditions. Research the specific needs of your variety to ensure you plant it in a suitable location.

2. Sunlight:

• Full sun: Campanula persicifolia, Campanula pyramidalis, Campanula carpatica prefer full sun, especially in cooler climates.
• Partial shade: Campanula glomerata, Campanula punctata, Campanula trachelium do well in partial shade, especially in hot climates.
• Shade: Campanula latifolia, Campanula portenschlagiana can handle full shade.

3. Soil: Campanulas generally prefer moist, well-drained soil. Avoid planting them in areas with heavy clay soil that can hold water and cause root rot. Adding compost or other organic matter to the soil can help improve drainage and moisture retention.

4. Other factors:

• Space: Consider the mature size of your campanula variety and choose a location where it will have enough room to grow without crowding out other plants.
• Wind: Choose a location that is sheltered from strong winds, which can damage the delicate flowers and stems.
• Aesthetics: Think about how you want your campanula to look in your garden. Consider its height, colour, and blooming time when choosing a location.

10. What is the difference between Lobelia and campanula?

Lobelia and campanula, both belonging to the Campanulaceae family, are often confused due to their shared bell-shaped flower characteristics. However, they have some key differences:

Flowers:

• Shape:
  • Campanula usually have symmetrical, true bell-shaped flowers with petals fused at the base and opening evenly all around. Think of a classic bluebell.
  • Lobelia flowers are typically bilaterally symmetrical or "two-lipped," meaning they have an upper and lower set of petals that differ in size or shape. Some species have an almost tubular or star-shaped form.
• Colour: Both come in a wide range of colors, but campanulas are more commonly blue, purple, and white, while lobelias can be blue, red, pink, purple, and orange.

Growth habit:

• Campanula can be annual, biennial, or perennial, with heights ranging from low-growing clumps to tall stalks.
• Lobelia are mostly annuals, although some tropical species are shrubs or even small trees.

Leaves:

• Campanula leaves are simple, alternate, with smooth edges.
• Lobelia have have simple or lobed leaves with toothed edges.

Habitat:

• Campanula is found in diverse environments, from temperate meadows and woodlands to alpine slopes.
• Lobelia tend to be more specific to moist areas like marshes, riverbanks, and shaded slopes.

Some additional notes:

• Lobelias generally have a longer flowering period than campanulas.
• Lobelias tend to be more attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.
• Some campanula species can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested.