Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower) Campanula carpatica
Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower) (Campanula carpatica) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Campanulaceae family, native to Limestone rocks of the Carpathian Mountains. It grows 20–30 cm (8–12 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Campanulaceae |
| Mature height | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 7–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Limestone rocks of the Carpathian Mountains |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous (ASPCA lists bellflowers as non-toxic).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower)
- How far apart should I plant Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
- Does Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower) flower?
- From about June for 7–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous (ASPCA lists bellflowers as non-toxic).
- What grows well with Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Carpathian bellflower (tussock bellflower). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
- Neat tufts covered for weeks in summer with wide, upturned, cup-shaped blue or white bells (‘Blue Clips’, ‘White Clips’). Deadhead for more flowers.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Canterbury bells Campanula medium
- Edging lobelia Lobelia erinus
- Balloon flower Platycodon grandiflorus
- Fairy's thimble Campanula cochleariifolia
- Deodeok (bonnet bellflower) Codonopsis lanceolata
- Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
- Dwarf grassy bells (edraianthus) Edraianthus pumilio