Campanula takesimana

Campanula takesimana, also known as Korean Bellflower, has extraordinary flowers in the shape of very long tubular bells, a satin lilac-pink, barely revealing a purple throat dotted with brown-violet. This remarkable medium-sized perennial forms large clumps of basal rosettes over time thanks to its running rhizomes, from which slender, arching, and leafy flowering stems emerge in late spring and summer. It prefers light sun or partial shade, humus-bearing and moist soils, and dislikes wind, which can bend its stems. This bellflower provides exceptional cut flowers.

Campanula takesimana belongs to the Campanulaceae family and originates from South Korea, from where it was brought to Europe in the 1920s. This fast-growing perennial develops from a running rhizome crown, forming a carpet of large, dentate, and shiny light green leaves gathered in slightly loose basal rosettes. The foliage sometimes persists if the winter is mild. It forms a flowering clump reaching 60 cm (24in) to 80 m (262ft) in height, with a spread of 50 cm (20in) and more. It flowers from June to August, depending on the climate, into autumn if the first faded flowers are removed. Flexible, upright then arching, flower stalks emerge in summer, adorned with tubular flowers whose exterior is satin lilac-pink, and whose interior is darker, punctuated with purple or brown-violet. This species is self-fertile and produces seeds that can self-seed in the garden under optimum conditions.

Campanula takesimana is a very refined plant, but it can also be very exuberant if the growing conditions suit it. It thrives in partial shade, almost overshadowing foamflowers, hostas, and trilliums, which are not always at their best in summer. It has its place in a natural border where its spreading habit is not a problem. It is a very satisfying flowering perennial to grow in borders, even for novice gardeners. It will be perfect alongside other beautiful and easy-to-grow perennials: perennial geraniums, red valerian (Centranthus ruber), phlox, purple coneflower, fennel, field scabious, meadowsweet, hemp-nettle, perennial sweet pea, or lady's mantle. It also grows well in containers.

About bellflowers:

The crown of bellflowers grows white runners spreading in all directions underground ensuring the long-term durability of the plant. The numerous upright stems that arise from this crown or the runners are fertile or sterile. Thus, when one sees a large population of bellflowers, they are often only the clones of a single individual. On the other hand, different bellflower species hybridize very easily with each other and are often accompanied by a whole range of intermediate forms, which makes them very interesting for horticulturists.