Overview
Campanula piperi is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Campanula, part of the Campanulaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Campanula piperi grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and alkaline and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens.
About
Campanula piperi (Olympic bellflower, Olympic harebell, Piper's bellflower) is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae. It is native to the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula in the U.S. state of Washington. It has also been noted on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). It works well for cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens. It tolerates alkaline and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing, north-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant out after last frost in fertile, well-drained soil.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Campanula piperi
About the genus
Campanula is the type genus of the Campanulaceae family of flowering plants. Campanula are commonly known as bellflowers and take both their common and scientific names from the bell-shaped flowers—campanula is Latin for "little bell".
Wikipedia contributors, "Campanula", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Campanula
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Campanula
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Campanula piperi size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Campanula piperi
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring or autumn or take basal cuttings in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be damaged by slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be infected by a rust, powdery mildews and a leaf spot
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Campanula piperi?
Campanula piperi prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Campanula piperi need?
Campanula piperi is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It prefers alkaline and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Campanula piperi hardy in the UK?
Campanula piperi has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Campanula piperi?
Propagate by division in spring or autumn or take basal cuttings in spring.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Campanula genus
- Campanula alliariifoliaCornish bellflower
- Campanula bononiensisBellflower
- Campanula carpaticatussock bellflower
- Campanula glomerataclustered bellflower
- Campanula glomerata 'Joan Elliott'clustered bellflower 'Joan Elliott'
- Campanula glomerata 'Purple Pixie'clustered bellflower 'Purple Pixie'
- Campanula glomerata 'Schneekrone'Bellflower
- Campanula glomerata 'Superba'clustered bellflower 'Superba'