Campanula portenschlagiana Resholdts Variety

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Resholdt's Variety' is a variety of Wall Bellflower whose bright blue-purple star-shaped flowers are distinguished by their wider petals. It is a creeping perennial plant that forms beautiful, long-flowering mats, in spring and early summer, and sometimes again in September. Renowned for its robustness and adaptability, it is a classic in gardens. This wonderful, floriferous ground cover deserves a prominent place in rockeries, above a wall, or in a planter where it will cascade joyfully.

Campanula portenschlagiana belongs to the campanula family. It is a small, very hardy perennial plant native to the Balkan mountains. In nature, it is found in rock crevices and high mountain scree slopes. 'Resholdt's Variety' differs only in the appearance of its flowers, which have wider petals.  The plant forms a cushion 20 cm (8in) tall, with a minimum spread of 60 cm (24in). It spreads through stems that root upon contact with the ground, allowing it to occupy an increasingly larger area. Flowering begins in late spring and continues throughout the summer, more prominently in cool climates. It is common for flowering to pause in summer when it is dry and hot with a resurgence in autumn. The star-shaped flowers measure 2 to 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter and are carried in loose panicles along hairy stems. The foliage is semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on the climate and consists of small, hairy, long-stalked, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges.

'Resholdt's Variety' Wall Bellflower is a mountain plant that does not like overly hot and dry climates or hot nights. It thrives in light, not too dry soil but dislikes stagnant moisture that can cause root rot. It is easy to provide such conditions in a sunny or semi-shaded rockery. It will quickly fill cracks in paving and cover old and low walls. Planted in a row, it will create charming, neat little borders. It is suitable for wild gardens and planting in pots, in light and well-drained substrate. In hanging baskets, it will cascade in small bright curtains: combine it with pink Diascia, annual white-flowered euphorbia Diamond Frost or lemon yellow Coreopsis for example.