1 named cultivar

‘Brantwood’Brantwood Bellflower

perennial

Bellflower

The Story

Plant Bio

Campanula latifolia, the great bellflower, is a tall clump-forming perennial ranging from Europe through western Asia and Siberia to the Himalaya. It grows three to four feet high on stout upright stems, occasionally to five, with broad coarsely toothed leaves. Large purplish-blue bells are carried in the upper leaf axils through June and July.

It is a coarse plant by bellflower standards and looks better naturalised in an open woodland or the back of a border than given a prominent position. Tall stems in rich soil flop without support, and the clump spreads somewhat vigorously by seed and root, so it is worth siting where a little sprawl does no harm.

Uses & Benefits:

Large purplish-blue bells carried up tall leafy stems in early and midsummer.

Thrives under the influence of black walnut and takes light shade, filling difficult back-of-border ground.

The large bells are worked by bumblebees, which can enter the flowers whole.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

36 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe through western Asia to the Himalaya

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring or autumn in full sun to part shade.
Choose average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil.
Give light afternoon shade in hot summer regions.
Water regularly; it needs steady moisture.
Stake taller stems in exposed or rich sites.
Cut back after flowering to limit self-seeding.

Pro Tip

Cut it back as the flowers fade rather than later; that limits the self-seeding that turns a clump into a colony.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Site it at the back of a border or in a wild area 🌿
Keep the soil steadily moist 💧
Stake tall stems in exposed positions 🪵
Cut back after flowering to limit seeding ✂️

Don't

Give it a prominent formal position ❌
Let the soil dry out in summer ❌
Leave seed heads to ripen if you want it contained ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cut Back
Stake

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Back of a mixed or cottage borderNaturalising in open woodlandWild garden and informal planting

Companion Plants

Foxglove AstrantiaHardy Geranium Lady's Mantle Aconitum

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Bellflower questions

What zones can Bellflower grow in?

Bellflower is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Bellflower deer resistant?

Yes — Bellflower is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Bellflower bloom?

Bellflower typically blooms in early to midsummer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Bellflower need full sun?

Bellflower does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.