The Dalmatian bellflower is an easy-care perennial that makes an excellent groundcover.
The Dalmatian bellflower, or cushion bellflower, is an easy-care perennial that makes an excellent ground cover.
Also known as cushion bellflower, the Dalmatian bellflower is a real blue-flowered pearl among cushion perennials. As the name suggests, it comes from the rocky regions of Dalmatia and is therefore ideal for the rock garden. But the violet flower wonder also looks good in other garden concepts.
The Dalmatian bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana) is up to 15 cm high and is originally native to the rugged mountain and cliff landscape of the Dalmatian coast. This extends from the south and south-east of Croatia to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The cushion bellflower is actually more of a Mediterranean flowering perennial. But that doesn't detract from their eager use in domestic gardens. It is very well accustomed to Central European locations and with the right care, it also thrives here with us.
Dalmatian bellflower in the garden
There are not many cushion perennials that conjure up such a dense, blue-violet carpet of flowers in the garden as the cushion bellflower. It climbs tirelessly along the edges of trees, stone walls, masonry and borders. Its bell-shaped flowers, magically shining in blue to violet, are not only extraordinarily decorative, they also sprout very luxuriantly without much care, with the main flowering period being between June and August.
One of the favorite garden concepts in which the Dalmatian bluebell cannot be missing are the rock garden and the flower garden. In rock gardens, the ground cover is often placed in such a way that after a few years it forms a dense seam between stone joints and on dry walls. In the flower garden, on the other hand, the carpet of flowers of the Dalmatian bellflower is often used to line the edge of the bed. The blue flower band can gracefully adorn whole passages. Even bare garden locations overgrow the ornamental perennial improbably quickly. It quickly attaches itself to difficult terrain and unfolds magnificently.
» Tip:The Dalmatian bellflower is particularly beautiful in small tuffs of 3 to 5 pieces each. Good planting partners are similar decorative upholstery perennials such as blue cushion, carpet phlox or candytuft.
As an alternative to planting in beds, Campanula portenschlagiana can also be grown in pots. This is ideal, for example, for balcony cultures. Ideally, the plant will quickly outgrow its traditional pot and form a hanging carpet. This is interesting, for example, for traffic light plantings or flower boxes that need effective greening all year round.
| Dalmatian bellflower or cushion bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | cushion-like, clump-like, forms runners |
| Growth: | 8 - 15 cm |
| Growth: | 20 - 30 cm |
| Special Features: | easy to care for, hardy |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, well-drained, normal |
Dalmatian bellflower - location and planting instructions
Due to its origin, the cushion bellflower prefers a rather sunny location or at least a location in the light semi-shade. The location temperature does not play a role here, because despite its Mediterranean character, Campanula portenschlagiana is hardy to -35 °C. It easily survives even the coldest winters.
In terms of substrate, the Dalmatian bellflower is a bit picky. Since it prefers to grow on rocky ground in its Dalmatian homeland, the soil should definitely have a good content of gravel. For this reason, gritty-loamy or at least sandy-loamy substrates are best suited. Even a decent lime content in the soil does no harm. The correct pH for Campanula portenschlagiana is 8 to 10 points in the alkaline range. Overall, choose moderately dry, nutrient-rich and well-drained garden soil.
➔ Plant Dalmatian bellflower in 3 steps
- Choose a planting date for your cushion bellflower between March and June. If possible, there should be no threat of late frost in the first few weeks after planting, which is why late spring is particularly suitable.
- The site substrate is thoroughly loosened and optimized before planting the Dalmatian bellflower. Mix in some compost, gravel and sand to the garden soil as needed. For pot cultures, conventional potting soil is sufficientFlowering perennials.
- Next, a planting hole the size of the root ball is dug. It is best to provide the subsoil with additional drainage made of gravel or broken pottery to prevent waterlogging. Since Campanula portenschlagiana can reach a growth width of up to 30 cm, an appropriate planting distance must be maintained. After planting, the new location is then well covered with mud.
Dalmatian bell flower - irrigation and fertilization
Even if the Dalmatian bellflower traditionally stands on stony ground, it still wants good watering. It tolerates short dry periods without any trouble, but it shouldn’t be more than a few days. Therefore, water at regular intervals, especially during the summer months. So that the delicate leaves and flowers of the plants do not burn in the blazing midday sun, watering should be done in the morning or in the evening.
In the first year, Campanula portenschlagiana does not need any nutrients with good basic fertilization. Only next spring, you can spend a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants on potted crops from April to June. Fertilization can be done every two to three weeks throughout the growth phase. Long-term fertilizers or compost are ideal for large-scale bedding cultures.
Dalmatian bellflower - cut and propagate
Campanula portenschlagiana likes to proliferate quickly. Regular grooming is therefore a good idea. At the same time, you can also clean the plant straight away.
➔ Cut back in spring
Spring pruning can be used on the Dalmatian bellflower to clean out dried shoots. Remove any wilted plant matter that has accumulated on the plant over the fall and winter. This ensures a strong new shoot.
➔ Care cut in summer
Regularly pinching off wilted flowers can stimulate reblooming in autumn. If you repeat the pruning after the second flowering, you may even be able to look forward to early late winter flowering.
➔ Propagation by root division
The easiest way to propagate cushion bellflowers is to divide the roots. Since the flowering perennial forms dense clumps, you have a suitable specimen ready for propagation after just a few years. In addition, the root division also ensures a rejuvenation of the plant, which then sprout better again. To do the root division, do the following:
- Dig the Dalmatian bluebell in the fall after floweringoff.
- Remove some soil from the rootstock by gently shaking the plant.
- Using a sharp, clean knife or scissors, divide the rootstock into two equal parts.
- Clean the two sections and remove dried leaves, shoots and roots.
- The partial plants can go back into the bed immediately after division.
➔ Propagation by seed
In the case of Campanula portenschlagiana, propagation by seed is often successful. In the capsule fruits, which form after flowering, there are plenty of seeds that are quickly distributed in the garden by the wind without the gardener having to do anything. So if you leave flowers standing and after a few years spot blue flowers in the most unusual places, don't be surprised.
Targeted sowing, on the other hand, works if the seed is collected in good time. Simply save the seeds until next spring, then scatter them to your desired location. Since the Dalmatian bellflower germinates in the sun, you don't even have to cover the seed with soil, just keep it constantly moist until germination.
Dalmatian bellflower in a pot
Cushion bellflowers in pots usually have a slightly higher water requirement than outdoor plants. Winter protection could also be necessary here - despite the plant's great frost resistance. Because the roots of the Campanula portenschlagiana are much less well protected from frost in the bucket.
In order to adequately protect potted cultures against the cold, you can bring them indoors and let them overwinter in a bright spot. However, the room temperatures should not be too high, as the plant quickly becomes susceptible to pests. In addition, dry heating air increases the risk of dehydration. A cool but drier location in the conservatory is ideal.
For wintering outdoors you need some garden fleece or coconut mats. Then wrap the plant container generously with it and also place the pot in a protected outdoor location. Placing the plant pot on wooden blocks or a piece of Styrofoam has proven effective against frost damage from below.
Interesting varieties of Dalmatian bellflower
The varieties of Campanula portenschlagiana differ primarily in their different flower colours, flowering times and growth heights. Some are a little more bluish than the wild variety, others a little lighter or darker. Here is a small selection of popular onesVarieties:
| Types | Special Features |
|---|---|
| Dalmatian Bellflower 'Birch' Campanula portenschlagiana 'Birch' | • blue-violet flowers • best-known and most widespread variety |
| Dalmatian Bellflower 'Blue Magic' Campanula portenschlagiana 'Blue Magic' | • strong blue flowers • blooms into September |
| Dalmatian Bellflower 'Lieselotte' Campanula portenschlagiana 'Lieselotte' | • light violet-blue flowers • very floriferous with night blooms in almost all cases |
| Dalmatian Bellflower 'Nice to See' Campanula portenschlagiana 'Nice to See' | • bright blue flowers • flowers have a delicate violet shimmer |
| Dalmatian Bellflower 'Resholt' Campanula portenschlagiana 'Resholt' | • dark violet flowers • flowers slightly lower than the parent |