Campanula rotundifolia

Campanula rotundifolia, also known as the round-leaved bellflower, is a wild species which is widely distributed in the countryside and mountains. It has a highly variable appearance in its natural habitat, growing well in meadows, rocky areas, old walls, and even in open woods and sandy soils. This excellent perennial is truly undemanding and fully hardy, and easily establishes itself in the garden, spreading slowly through trailing and branching rhizomes. In summer, it reveals numerous small pendulous lavender-blue bell-shaped flowers, carried on slender stems, which are simple and full of charm.

Campanula rotundifolia belongs to the campanula family. It is native to Western Europe, from plains to mountain ranges up to 2400 m (7874ft) altitude. It reaches 10 to 50 cm in height, with a spread of 30 cm (12in) depending on the growing conditions; it adapts to the depth and richness of the soil it inhabits. This herbaceous and stoloniferous perennial eventually forms attractive and well-flowered clumps. Flowering occurs from June to November, depending on its habitat. From loose rosettes of rounded leaves numerous slender but sturdy stems emerge, each carrying several simple, pendulous lavender-blue bell-shaped flowers, grouped in cymes. The rosette leaves often disappear during flowering, while linear and very fine foliage, originating from the lower part of the stems remains green until autumn. 

Campanula rotundifolia prefers moist, light soils, even limestone, but dislikes stagnant humidity which can cause its roots to rot. It does not thrive in hot climates or excessively dry summers. Above all, it is a beautiful wild plant that contributes to the biodiversity of our gardens. It has a rightful place in a natural border, alongside other beautiful wildflowers: cornflower, Spanish lavender (Centranthus ruber), wild chicory, sainfoin, purple coneflower, fennel, field scabious, queen of the meadow, hemp-nettle, perennial sweet pea, or lady's mantle. Its simplicity works well next to the roundness of old roses and softens the heavy corollas of deep red peonies.

About bellflowers:

The crown of bellflowers grows white stolons that spread underground in all directions ensuring the long-term survival of the plant. The numerous upright stems that arise from this crown or stolons can be fertile or sterile. Thus, when one sees a large population of bellflowers, it often consists of clones of a single individual. On the other hand, different species of bellflowers readily hybridize with each other, often accompanied by a variety of intermediate forms, which makes them very interesting for horticulturists.