Campanula punctata f. Rubriflora

Campanula punctata 'Rubriflora', or Bellflower, is a beautiful variety with purple-red flowers above shiny dark green foliage. Charming tubular bell-shaped flowers bloom in July-August. This romantic perennial is easy to grow in well-drained, moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Give it a prominent place next to your favourite plants in the garden, or in a pretty pot that you can hang on the terrace or balcony to admire up close.

Campanula 'Rubriflora' belongs to the Campanulaceae family, like Campanula punctata from which it originates. The latter is native to Korea and can also be found in Japan, northern and eastern China, and eastern Siberia, where it grows in sunny mountains. The 'Rubriflora' variety has a clump-like habit, reaching about 40 cm (16in) in all directions. It spreads through short underground rhizomes, from which upright leafy stems rise. In early summer, it produces beautiful elongated bell-shaped flowers that are 5 cm (2in) long. The flowers of this variety are very refined, dark purple-red and satiny, almost white at the edge of the corolla. They continue to bloom until September if you remove the faded stems in summer. The foliage is deciduous but persists for a long time before disappearing. It is shiny dark green, strongly veined, and slightly hairy. The floral stems are also hairy and reddish-brown, contrasting beautifully with the dark red hanging bell-shaped flowers. The leaves take on a more purple hue in autumn.

'Rubriflora' bellflower is easy to grow, preferring bright exposures and moist, rich, and well-drained soils. When it is happy, it moderately produces suckers. In a wild or romantic style garden, pair it with perennial geraniums, English roses, Polemonium, and ornamental garlic. It also performs very well in pots and its romantic and delicate flowers are perfect for bouquets.