Campanula trachelium 'Bernice' (d)

RHS Plant Profile

bellflower 'Bernice'

The Harry Smith Collection

Synonyms

Campanula trachelium bernice 'Coventry Bells'

Herbaceous Perennial

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An upright perennial with jagged-toothed, nettle-like leaves and racemes of double, violet-blue flowers in mid to late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–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: No
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Any fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. The flower colour is best in shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Though cultivars may not come true from seed. Divide in spring or autumn. Take softwood stem-tip cuttings from new growth after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

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

Pests

Vulnerable to slugs and snails

Diseases

Powdery mildew and rust may be problematic