Campanula carpatica Alba

Often planted at the base of roses, Campanula carpatica 'Alba' or Carpathian bellflower is a small perennial groundcover that captivates with its numerous white corollas between June and August, hiding its beautiful, vibrant green foliage. It is a semi-evergreen, hardy plant that thrives in well-drained soils that remain moist in summer. It is ideal in rockeries, borders, and on top of walls.

Campanula carpatica belongs to the Campanulaceae family. It originates, as its name suggests, from Central Europe, and more specifically from the Carpathian Mountains where it grows in limestone scree.

The 'Alba' variety, in most respects similar to the species, is the form with white flowers. It is a low-growing plant, reaching about 20 to 30 cm (12in) in height when flowering, with a spread of 30 cm (12in). It eventually creeps to form large clumps. Its rosettes of basal leaves spread without theoretical limit through branching and creeping stems that root in the soil. Flowering occurs from June to August, in the form of small open bells, measuring from 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. The semi-evergreen, very vivid and shiny green foliage, consists of rounded heart-shaped and very toothed leaves.

Campanula carpatica Alba likes moist, light, even chalky soils but dislikes stagnant moisture that causes root rot. This mountain plant does not tolerate overly hot climates or excessively dry summers. It is primarily a plant for rockeries and borders. It quickly fills cracks in paving and walls. It is also perfectly suited for a wild garden. It adapts very well to cultivation in troughs or pots, in light and well-drained substrate.