Campanula lactiflora 'Superba'

RHS Plant Profile
milky bellflower 'Superba'

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Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial with green, lance-shaped foliage. Upright stems of cone-shaped clusters of purple bell-shaped flowers provide a long flowering display in summer. An easy to grow plant but dislikes wet winters

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

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 Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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
Clump forming
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

Will grow well in fertile, neutral to alkaline soil that is moist but well-drained, in full sun or partial shade avoiding wet conditions in winter. A semi-shade position will ensure the best flower colour is preserved. Will need staking in exposed sites. For more information see staking perennials.

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn and by basal cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to promote extended blooms

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust, Powdery mildews and leaf spot