Peach leaved bellflower.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

3 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 8

Bloom time

Early to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to help these beauties thrive. Watch for wilting during dry spells, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage a second flush of blooms later in the season. Ensure they have good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Watering

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.

Pruning

Remove faded flower stalks to tidy the plant and promote new growth.

Repotting

Divide clumps every few years in spring or fall to keep the plant vigorous.

Soil

Well draining, fertile loam

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Temperature

-30 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

This plant is generally considered non-toxic to humans.

Children

The plant is not considered a specific risk to children, but supervision is always wise to prevent ingestion of garden plants.

Contact allergens

The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable airborne allergen risks associated with this plant.

Edibility

While not highly toxic, it is not considered a culinary plant and ingestion should be avoided.

How to identify it

• Tall spikes of bell shaped flowers
• Narrow, lance shaped leaves
• Basal rosettes of evergreen foliage
• Flowers in shades of blue or white

Height

0.6 to 0.9m

Spread

0.3 to 0.45m

Leaves

green, semi-evergreen

Flowers

blue, white, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

• Powdery MildewCommon
• Slugs and SnailsCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• Root RotUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant these in groups of three or more to create a drift of color that stands out against lower growing perennials.

Grows well with

• Lady's Mantle — The chartreuse flowers provide a lovely contrast to the blue bells.
• Catmint — It shares similar light and water needs while offering a different texture.
• Peony — The bellflower fills the space around peonies after they finish blooming.

Similar species

• Clustered Bellflower — It has a similar bell-shaped flower but with a more clustered growth habit.
• Harebell — A smaller, more delicate relative that is also very hardy.

Science

Family

Campanulaceae

Genus

Campanula

Order

Asterales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and parts of Asia.

Conservation

It is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It thrives in woodland edges and meadows where it can compete for light in semi-shaded conditions.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

border plant, cut flowers, cottage garden

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need staking?

In windy locations, the tall stems may benefit from light staking.

Can I grow it in shade?

It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Campanula is Latin for little bell, while the specific epithet persicifolia refers to the peach-like leaves.

Good to know

• The common name comes from the resemblance of its leaves to those of a peach tree.
• It is a reliable perennial that often self-seeds in the garden.
• The flowers are shaped like elegant, open bells.