Bellflower Campanula 'Swannables'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Campanula 'Swannables', commonly known as bellflower, features a fascinating appearance distinguished by its charming star or bell-shaped flowers. The plant typically boasts a lush foliage base comprising of green leaves that lay the perfect backdrop for its standout blossoms. These flowers are known for their soft colors, often presenting shades that range from deep purples to pastel blues, and sometimes with a hint of white. The petals have a delicate texture and are arrayed in a radial symmetry that is visually striking. As the bellflower blooms, it creates an enchanting display that is vibrant yet soothing, making it a favored choice for garden enthusiasts seeking to add a touch of whimsical beauty to their landscapes. Its overall form is often described as clump-forming, giving it a dense and hearty look that contributes to its popularity as a garden plant.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Campanulaceae
- Synonyms
  Bellflower
- Common names
  Campanula 'Swannables'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant commonly known as Bellflower, which includes the variety Campanula 'Swannables', is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Therefore, ingesting parts of this plant is not expected to cause poisoning or serious health issues. However, it is always advisable to be cautious and avoid eating plants not commonly recognized as food, as individual allergic reactions or sensitivities could occur.
- To pets
  The Bellflower, including the variety Campanula 'Swannables', is generally considered non-toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. Ingestion of this plant is unlikely to cause poisoning or severe adverse health effects in pets. Yet, as with any non-food plant, consumption in large quantities could lead to gastrointestinal upset or other non-specific symptoms simply due to the ingestion of foreign matter. It's always best to discourage pets from eating ornamental plants to prevent any potential issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Varies
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3-8
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Bellflowers are known for their charming and vivid blooms that enhance the visual appeal of any garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: They attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which are vital for pollination.
- Low Maintenance: Bellflowers are generally easy to care for and require minimal upkeep, making them ideal for busy gardeners.
- Tolerant of Different Conditions: They can thrive in a variety of soil types and can tolerate partial shade to full sun.
- Drought Resistant: Once established, some bellflower varieties can withstand periods of drought.
- Long Blooming Period: Bellflowers typically have a long flowering season, providing continuous color throughout summer.
- Versatility: These plants can be used in different garden settings like borders, groundcovers, rock gardens, and container plantings.
- Perennial Growth: Being perennials, they return year after year, reducing the need to replant annually.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Edible Flowers: The blossoms of Campanula, or bellflower, can be eaten in salads or as garnishes, providing a mild, sweet flavor and a touch of color to various dishes.
- Crafts and Decorations: Dried bellflower stems and blooms can be used in floral arrangements, wreaths, or other craft projects for their delicate shape and beauty.
- Photography Subjects: The striking appearance of bellflowers makes them excellent subjects for photographers interested in capturing the intricacies of plant life.
- Culinary Coloring: The petals of bellflowers can be used to naturally color foods and drinks, adding a hint of blue or purple to the presentation.
- Garden Accents: Bellflowers can be planted in containers and used as living decorative accents on patios, balconies, or window sills.
- Fairy Gardens: Miniature gardening enthusiasts often use small varieties of bellflowers to create whimsical fairy garden landscapes.
- Educational Use: Bellflowers can be part of plant life cycles studies in schools to teach children about perennial plant growth, pollination, and seed development.
- Natural Fabric Dyes: The flowers and leaves of bellflowers can be used to create natural dyes for fabric, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Art Inspiration: Artists may use the diverse shapes and colors of bellflowers as a source of inspiration for paintings, drawings, and other artistic creations.
- Potpourri Ingredient: Dried bellflower petals can be included in potpourri mixes for their shape and potential contribution to the aroma.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Bellflower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Bellflower is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Gratitude: Campanula, also known as bellflower, commonly symbolizes gratitude, reflecting the bell-like shape which is reminiscent of people bowing to express thanks.
- Constancy and Perseverance: The bellflower's enduring and robust nature has made it a symbol for constancy and the ability to withstand challenges in life.
- Unwavering Love: In Victorian floriography, the campanula represents unwavering love and affection, as these plants were often given to communicate steadfastness.
- Hope: The upward growth and continual blooming of bellflowers epitomize hope, offering encouragement to look towards the future with optimism.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Bellflowers need to be watered thoroughly, ensuring the water reaches deep into the soil to encourage deep root growth. During the growing season, watering should approximately be once a week, allowing the soil to slightly dry out between waterings. Generally, one to two gallons per plant each week should suffice, but this may vary depending on climate and soil drainage. Adjust the amount of water during periods of rainfall or extreme heat to prevent waterlogging or drought stress.
Light
Bellflowers thrive best in full sun to partial shade. They prefer a spot where they can receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. However, in particularly hot climates, they benefit from some afternoon shade to protect them from scorching.
Temperature
Bellflowers can survive in a range of temperatures but grow best when the temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a minimum temperature down to around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with optimal growth occurring within the moderate temperature range.
Pruning
Pruning bellflowers can help promote bushier growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. Pruning is best done after flowering has ceased; for many, this means late summer or early fall. Pruning too late in the season can leave new growth vulnerable to frost.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Bellflower 'Swannables' thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, generally between 6.0 and 7.5. For an ideal soil mix, combine garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand to improve drainage. Regularly enrich the soil with organic matter to support healthy growth.
Repotting
Bellflower 'Swannables' should typically be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when it outgrows its current pot. Best repotted in the spring, this frequency helps to maintain soil fertility and provides the roots with adequate space to grow.
Humidity & Misting
Bellflower 'Swannables' prefer moderate humidity levels but are quite adaptable. They typically thrive in average household humidity levels, without the need for any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright indirect light, keep soil moist, and provide good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial sun, well-drained soil, and shelter from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Campanula 'Sarastro', also known as Bellflower, typically begins its life cycle as a seed, which, when sown in fertile, well-drained soil and given sufficient warmth and light, will germinate. After the seedling emerges, it enters the vegetative growth stage, producing foliage and establishing a root system. Following this period of vegetative growth, the plant enters the reproductive stage, developing buds that bloom into its characteristic bell-shaped flowers, usually in late spring or early summer. After flowering, Campanula 'Sarastro' sets seeds, completing the reproductive phase. If conditions allow, the plant can act as a perennial, where it will go dormant in the winter, storing energy in its roots to regrow the following spring. Over time, with proper care, the mature plant can spread and form clumps by sending out new shoots either from the base or from underground runners.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method of propagating the Bellflower 'Swannables' is by division, which is best done in the spring as the plants reemerge after winter dormancy. To propagate by division, you first carefully dig up an established plant, making sure to keep a substantial amount of root attached. Then, you gently tease apart or cut the plant into smaller sections, each with its own piece of root system and shoots. These individual clumps can then be replanted in well-prepared soil, ideally in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Water them in well immediately after planting, providing at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water to help establish them in their new location. It is important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged as the new divisions take root and grow.