Campanula cochleariifolia

Campanula cochleariifolia, also known as the ear-leaved bellflower, is a small perennial species native to the alpine region, excellent in moist scree. This spreading plant forms large patches through running and branching rootstocks and in summer produces single, pale blue flowers on thin and flexible stems that gracefully hang towards the ground.

Campanula cochleariifolia belongs to the Campanulaceae family. It is native to the Alps, where it grows in limestone scree. It is a low-growing, stoloniferous plant, reaching about 5 to 12 cm (5in) in height, with a spread of 20 cm (8in) and forms large colonies over time. It flowers from June to August, with delicate pale blue bell-shaped, semi-transparent, pendulous flowers measuring 12 to 20 mm (1in) in length, often facing the same direction, arranged in a cyme. The deciduous foliage is dark green, with heart-shaped basal leaves during flowering and lanceolate leaves on the stems.

Campanula cochleariifolia is primarily a plant for moist scree. It quickly fills cracks in paving, old walls, and low walls and also fits perfectly in a wild garden. It adapts well to growing in containers, in light and well-drained substrate. This mountain plant does not like excessively hot climates or nights with high temperatures.

There is definitely a bellflower that will thrive in your garden, whether it is in shade or in sun, dry or moist. This genus is so diverse that a species description is necessary.

This bellflower is one of the most common and also one of the prettiest with clumps of small round leaves and bright light blue flowers, in small bell-shaped blossoms carried by slender and thin stalks.