Botanical: Campanula portenschlagiana

• rich in strong, bell-shaped flowers
• often visited by bees and other insects
• With its cushion-like growth, it is ideal not only for planting in bowls but also as a ground cover
• Loves the sun, but also does well in partial shade
• scores with winter hardiness and ease of care

Delivery size: culture pot 12 cm diameter

Plant not suitable for consumption!

Product data sheet

General information about the bellflower

The significant name of the cushion bellflower, which comes from the bellflower family, is not only based on it, but also on the shape of its flowers and its growth habit. In addition, the addition “Dalmatians” can be traced back to their homeland, the mountainous regions of Dalmatia from Croatia to Montenegro. It has been cultivated around the globe for many years. 

The shoots of the bellflower lie flat and form cushions up to 15 cm high. They spread like a carpet through short runners. Its heart-shaped foliage is fresh green, the edge of the leaf is toothed. At best, they are wintergreen and therefore cling to the shoots until new growth occurs in spring; in cold winters, the Dalmatian bellflower sheds its leaves.

Starting in June, the cushion bellflower produces a multitude of funnel-shaped, delicate individual flowers in strong violet-blue. The entire plant is covered in intense flowering until August. It's not surprising that bees and other insects are extremely attracted to each other. Whether temporarily in the room, on the balcony, terrace or in the bed, the upholstered bellflower is extremely versatile in its use. 

The perfect location

The frugal Dalmatian bellflower can find a place in every household. The flowering plant loves a sunny location and also thrives in partial shade. However, a blazing midday sun in summer should be avoided. In the deepest shade it only shows its flowering to a limited extent.

If the bellflowers are cultivated in the garden, they do not need to change location in winter, while potted plants are better off in a warm place in the room.

Whether in a rock garden, in the joints of dry stone walls or in a perennial bed in combination with other plants such as the structure-giving heuchera and stonecrop, it sets wonderful accents. It overgrows slopes, for example. It also often finds a place in grave design.

Plant Dalmatian bellflower correctly

As with all cultivated plants, you should remove the cushion bellflower from its plastic pot as soon as you buy it. While it is fairly undemanding, the ideal substrate for it is humus-rich, nutrient-rich and well-drained. In the garden, the soil can be enriched with peat and compost, and as a potted plant, it is best served with commercially available flowering plant soil.

Bellflowers in the garden bed

The cushion bellflower looks wonderful in the flower bed. Whether in combination with other flowering plants or structural plants or as ground cover on walls or under tall trees, the following steps should be carried out to plant these flowering beauties.

• dig a sufficiently large planting hole. Use the root ball as a benchmark but leave some additional space.
• To prevent the soil around the roots from becoming too wet, they create drainage. To do this, fill the bottom of the hole you have dug with shards of pottery or stones.
• Next, insert the plant and fill the edge with the prepared soil, which is then lightly pressed down
• Then water the bellflower thoroughly and keep the soil moist while the plant grows.

Bluebells on the balcony or terrace

If you don't have a garden available, the bellflower will also happily take a place in a planter, hanging basket or other container. Not only can it enchant with its flowers on the balcony and terrace, but it can also be kept indoors for a few weeks.  

• Find a sufficiently large container; other balcony plants with similar requirements can be easily planted in the mix
• Drainage holes at the bottom of the vessel are a must to avoid waterlogging. Similar to when planting in the bed, create drainage with gravel or shards of clay over the drainage hole. Then place plant fleece over the drainage layer. 
• Fill in the potting soil until the container is half full and insert the plants. Then add the remaining soil, making sure not to bury the plants any deeper than they were previously in the growing pot. 
• The soil is lightly pressed and watered thoroughly. Also keep the substrate in the pot consistently moist for the first time after planting

Care for upholstery bellflowers properly

If the right location is ensured and the planting is carried out professionally, the Campanula portenschlagiana is very easy to care for. However, pay attention to the following factors when caring for them:

If it is dry and hot in summer, water daily in the morning or evening. In spring and autumn, however, it is sufficient if there is regular rainfall. If the planter is covered, water must of course be given daily. If the leaves of the bellflower are drooping, it is too dry. But don't water too much, because if waterlogging leads to root rot, the plant can no longer be saved!

In order to bloom lushly from June to August, the bellflower also needs fertilizer from spring onwards. It is best to use a liquid fertilizer that is tailored to flowering plants. Mix this into the irrigation water once a week. 

Pruning is usually not necessary for the bellflower. However, regularly remove dried shoots and dead plant parts. Not only does this save you from having to prune later, but it also encourages the growth of new flowers throughout the season. 

When it comes to winter protection, cushion bellflowers are extremely hardy in beds - they can withstand temperatures well below freezing. Here the soil acts as insulation for the plant. Planters, on the other hand, require winter protection so that the substrate does not freeze completely and the roots are destroyed