Campanula carpatica Mini Marvels Starbright

Campanula carpatica Mini Marvels™ ‘Starbright’ is a very compact Carpathian bellflower, notable for its pure white, very bright little bells and its perfectly regular cushion-shaped habit. From late spring and throughout summer, its foliage is almost hidden by the flowers. Reaching a height of just 15 to 20 cm, it can be used anywhere space is limited: along a path, in rockeries, between paving stones, or in pots on the terrace. This easy-going, very hardy perennial mainly requires a well-drained soil that is neither too dry nor too wet.

Mini Marvels™ ‘Starbright’ belongs to the Campanulaceae family and is derived from the species Campanula carpatica, known as the Carpathian bellflower. This herbaceous perennial, native to the Carpathian mountain range in central and eastern Europe, grows wild in scree and rocky meadows on limestone substrate.
Mini Marvels™ ‘Starbright’ is a horticultural selection from the American nursery Walters Gardens, distributed in the Proven Winners range as part of the MINI MARVELS™ series. The plant forms a rounded clump of small, heart-shaped to rounded, finely toothed, bright to dark green leaves. In a temperate climate, the foliage is often present for a good part of the winter, especially in well-drained soil. In spring, numerous slender stems emerge bearing widely open bell-shaped, 2 to 3 cm diameter flowers at their ends, facing upwards. Flowering lasts from late May to August, depending on the climate, with a peak in early summer. A perennial with rapid growth, it reaches its mature size in two to three seasons, then spreads gently without becoming invasive. It is very hardy; it withstands very cold winters in well-drained soil, but dislikes waterlogged conditions and scorching summers.

In the garden, use the Mini Marvels™ ‘Starbright’ bellflower as a small rockery perennial, for borders or walls. Place it in full sun in cool or alpine climates, and partial shade in regions with hot summers. It will fill gaps in paving, the top of a low wall, or the base of a wall. As companion plants, you can choose other rockery perennials such as Basket of Gold, Aubrieta, Iberis and some Fleabanes, Alpine Gentian, Moss Phlox or Alpine Aster.