Campanula trachelium Bernice

Campanula trachelium 'Bernice' is a very charming version of the widespread nettle-leaved bellflower with semi-double flowers. As sturdy as its cousin, it also blooms from May-June to July-August with unwavering determination. Its pretty bluish-purple, slightly drooping bell-shaped flowers, are located along upright spikes, amidst a strongly toothed and veined, bluish-green foliage. It is a beautiful flower for an unpretentious and carefree border and a queen for a natural garden. While it prefers fertile and deep soils, this excellent and hardy perennial is truly accommodating in every way.

The nettle-leaved bellflower, also known as blue nettle in some provinces, is a herbaceous perennial plant that has naturalized throughout France, where it grows without any assistance in woods and ravines. This species thrives on limestone-rich soil and belongs to the Campanulaceae family. 'Bernice' is its curiously endowed descendant with almost double flowers. It appeared by chance in the 16th century in England, on the edge of a forest. With a thick but non-trailing crown, it forms a bouquet of robust, solid, angular, often reddish, rough, leafy stems either simple or branched. In late spring, its semi-double flowers, with upturned edges, measuring 2.5 to 4.5 cm (1 to 2in) in length, appear in groups of 2 or 3 along the stem, which can reach a height of 50 to 90 cm (20 to 35in). Its large leaves are ovate to triangular, toothed and covered in hairs. They strongly resemble nettle leaves, as indicated by its common name. It readily self-seeds in light soil in the garden.

Perfectly suited to most climates, the nettle-leaved bellflower and the 'Bernice' variety are essential in a cottage garden or a rural border. They are perfect plants for novice gardeners, as they require no special care and faithfully return each year. They can be easily combined with other plants such as common columbine, great marguerite, officinal peony, oriental poppy, heucheras, monardas, perennial geraniums or Japanese anemones. Their simplicity enhances the roundness of old roses or the voluptuous corollas of shrubby or herbaceous peonies. They look stunning when planted in groups of 3 to 5.