Campanula punctata

Campanula are among the most popular of garden plants, the most versatile of perennials, they provide a wide range of colours, shapes and uses. Many varieties offer long bloom time and are easy care, while others feature some of the best blues and deepest purples in the perennial world. Some offer tall spires, some globes while others carpet the ground. All bellflowers are valuable in any garden and melt your heart as they ring in the summer.

Campanula punctata is a mid-sized selection that is perfect for the sun or part-shade border. Growing 30 to 60cm (12 to 24in) tall, with a spread of 30 to 45cm (12 to 20in) The plant forms a mound of light green leaves, and bears upright stems of huge drooping bells which hang straight down from the plant's stems. Appearing in in shades of white, deep-rose, pink and violet, the ample-sized, pendulous blooms and buds bloom heavily in June to July. They are especially striking against the backdrop of somewhat triangular, serrated green leaves.

Campanula punctata does especially well in a deep, fertile soil and will continue to bloom through to late summer if deadheaded. The stems are heavy with the weight of the flowers and may need to be staked. Pinch out when plants are about 15cm (6in) to help reduce the need for staking. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front.
Its habit is strongly upright, but tends to spread more than other campanula where happy so plan to give this variety space, it can also be divided to keep it within bounds.
Suitable for borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, lightly shaded woodland settings or naturalised areas. It is excellent in large containers or tubs, group or mass for best effect in the garden.

Sowing: Sow in either late winter/late spring or late summer/autumn.
Sow either in September to October before the coldest part of the year or in February to April and plant out after all danger of frost has passed.

Sow the seeds into cells or pots containing good quality seed compost. Sow finely onto the surface and press lightly into the compost, but do not cover, as light aids germination of seeds. Place in a propagator or cover with a plastic lid and place in a warm place, ideally at 18 to 20°C (65 to 68°F).
Water from the base of the tray, keeping the compost moist but not wet at all times. Germination 14 to 28 days. Once some of the seeds have germinated air should be admitted gradually otherwise the seedlings may suffer damping off.

Transplanting:
Once the seedlings have their first pair of true leaves (they come after the seedlings first pair of leaves) and are large enough to handle, Prick out each seedling into 7.5cm (3in) pots to grow on. Place in a position which receives diffused light.
Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out after all risk of frost has passed into well drained soil. Plant 30cm (12in) apart
The ideal situation is in partial shade or sun, in fertile, neutral to alkaline soil that is moist but well-drained.

Cultivation:
Protect the tender foliage from slugs and deadhead regularly. Bellflowers like some relief from intense sun and heat a dry summer may reduce or inhibit its flowering. If your garden is in full sun, apply a generous 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant in spring and keep them well watered.
In exposed areas, stake with bamboo canes or brushwood in spring before the flowers appear.
Deadhead to prolong flowering. C. punctata will self seed if not deadheaded, but are easily curtailed after blooming as the blossoms are long gone before seed is set.

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Borders and Beds, Lightly shaded woodland settings or naturalised areas.

Origin:
Campanula punctata is native to Korea and is also distributed in Japan and Eastern Siberia. In Korea, it is called Cholong ggot, which means Lantern Flower. The flower is also cultivated for ornamental purpose
Its flowers appear in shades of white, deep-rose, pink and violet.

Nomenclature:
The genus name Campanula is from the Italian campana meaning 'bell' and refers to the shape of the flowers. The word is from around 1630's, from Late Latin,campana, originally meant 'a metal vessel made in Campania,' the region around Naples. All Campanulas have bell-shaped flowers, although the flower forms vary considerably.
The species name punctata is from the Latin meaning 'punctuated' or spotted.
The common name of Spotted bellflower refers to the spots inside the long bells of the species.
Pronounced kam-PAN-yew-lah punk-TAY-tah,

The National Collection:
In the UK the National Collection of Campanulas is held at Burton Agnes Hall in East Yorkshire and the National Collection of Alpine Campanulas at Langham Hall in Suffolk.