Common Name: bellflower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Campanulaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom Description: Silvery blue
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Deer
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers part shade in hot summer climates. Does not do well when night temperatures do not consistently cool down below 70 degrees F. Needs regular moisture. Plants may be cut back to basal foliage after bloom. Divide clumps in fall every 3-4 years. Spreads freely by rhizomes under optimum growing conditions.
This hybrid is much tamer than some other campanulas in that it does not produce seed and does not spread by rhizomes in the garden.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Campanula is a genus of about 300 species of annuals, biennials and perennials from throughout temperate regions of the northern hemisphere found from alpine areas to meadows and woodlands. Many make excellent garden plants.
Genus name comes from the Latin campana meaning bell in reference to the bell-shaped flowers.
‘Summertime Blues’ is a clump-forming bellflower cultivar that is noted for its extremely long late spring to late summer (sometimes into fall) bloom of large, tubular, drooping, bell-like, silvery blue flowers on leafy, upright, burgundy stems rising to 24” tall. U.S. Plant Patent Applied For (PPAF).
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Can be mildly spreading. Watch for slugs and snails.
Uses
Borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, lightly shaded woodland settings or naturalized areas. Group or mass for best effect.