Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower) Campanula portenschlagiana
Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower) (Campanula portenschlagiana) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Campanulaceae family, native to Limestone cliffs of the Dalmatian coast, Croatia and Bosnia. It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
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Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Campanulaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 6–10 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 cliffs of the Dalmatian coast, Croatia and Bosnia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Dalmatian bellflower (wall 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 Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower)
- How far apart should I plant Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower)?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower)?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower) flower?
- From about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Dalmatian bellflower (wall 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 Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
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
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.
- A vigorous, spreading mat of small heart-shaped leaves covered from early summer with upturned violet-blue bells; it seeds itself into wall cracks and paving. One of the easiest campanulas, happy in sun or part shade.
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