Campanula latifolia 'Brantwood'

Water

The Giant Bellflower requires even moisture, and it's essential to water it when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this means watering approximately once a week, but this can vary depending on factors such as temperature and humidity. While it’s important not to let the soil dry out completely, it's also crucial to avoid waterlogging the plant, as this can lead to root rot. Apply water directly to the soil around the plant until it's evenly moist, and ensure that any excess water can drain away easily. In terms of quantity, start with about half a gallon of water per plant and adjust based on the plant's response and the weather conditions.

Light

The Giant Bellflower thrives in partial shade to full sun conditions. A location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal for this plant, especially in hotter regions. While adaptable, excessive shade may lead to leggy growth and poor flowering, whereas too much direct sun can stress the plant, particularly in the heat of midday. Ensure it receives at least four to six hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth.

Temperature

The Giant Bellflower can tolerate a range of temperatures but grows best in environments where the average is between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and can handle brief periods of colder temps down to about 40 degrees. This plant prefers cooler conditions, and high temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit can be challenging, so it's best to provide some shade during the hottest part of the day during peak summer months.

Pruning

Prune the Giant Bellflower to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to stimulate new blooms. Cut back the stems after flowering has finished to tidy up the plant and encourage a second flush of blooms in the same season. The best pruning time is immediately after the first flowering peak has subsided, typically in late spring or early summer. Additionally, light pruning in the spring can also help remove any dead or damaged growth that occurred over the winter.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Giant Bellflower thrives best in a soil mixture that is rich, moist, and well-drained with a pH ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5-7.5). A good mix would be one part loam, one part peat moss or compost, and one part sharp sand to promote good drainage.

Repotting

The Giant Bellflower does not require frequent repotting and can typically be repotted every 2-3 years. It is best to repot in the spring before the onset of new growth.

Humidity & Misting

The Giant Bellflower prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable. It will thrive in average room humidity, avoiding both excessively dry and overly humid environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, keep soil moist, and ensure good ventilation.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade, enrich soil, mulch, and water regularly.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA.

Life cycle

The life of Campanula latifolia 'Brantwood', commonly known as the Giant bellflower, begins with seed germination, typically in spring when soil temperatures become warm enough. After germination, the seedling stage follows where the plant develops its first true leaves and root system. As it enters the vegetative stage, it produces more leaves and stems, gathering energy through photosynthesis and growing taller. Once it reaches maturity, the Giant bellflower enters the flowering stage during early to mid-summer, showcasing tall spikes with large, bell-shaped blue-violet flowers that attract pollinators. Following pollination, the plant sets seeds, which are dispersed by wind or fall near the parent plant. Finally, the plant enters dormancy in late summer to autumn, reducing above-ground activity but surviving through its perennial root system until the next growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Early Summer

• The Giant Bellflower, or Campanula latifolia 'Brantwood', is a popular perennial that is best propagated by division, a method that allows gardeners to create new plants by separating the roots of a mature plant. The ideal time for dividing and transplanting Giant Bellflower is in the spring as the plants emerge from dormancy or in the early fall when the summer heat has passed. During propagation by division, carefully dig around the plant to lift the root ball from the ground. It is important to preserve as much of the root system as possible during this process. Using a sharp spade or knife, cleanly cut through the root clump to create smaller sections, ensuring that each section has a portion of roots attached. These individual divisions can then be replanted in well-prepared soil, spaced at intervals to allow for future growth, and watered thoroughly to help establish the new plants. It's crucial to maintain regular watering until the new divisions are well established, especially if the transplanting takes place during a dry period.