Campanula latifolia

RHS Plant Profile
giant bellflower

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giant bellflower The Harry Smith Collection

Other common names

broad-leaved bellflower, haskwort, large-flowered bellflower, throat root, throatwort, clychlys mawr

Synonyms

Campanula macrantha

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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An erect, clump-forming perennial to 1.2m tall, with oval leaves and loose racemes of nodding bell-shaped violet-blue flowers 5cm long in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Campanulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Campanula may be annuals, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, with bell or star-shaped, often blue, flowers in late spring or summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe to Kashmir

How to Grow

Cultivation

Any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade; the delicate flower colour is best preserved in shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Divide in spring or early autumn. Take stem-tip cuttings from new growth after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to prevent self-seeding and to encourage a second flush of flowers

Pests

Vulnerable to slugs and snails

Diseases

Powdery mildew and rust may be problematic