Fairy's thimble Campanula cochleariifolia
Fairy's thimble (Campanula cochleariifolia) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Campanulaceae family, native to Mountains of central and southern Europe (limestone scree). It grows 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Fairy's thimble in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Fairy's thimble at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Campanulaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 5–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of central and southern Europe (limestone scree) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Fairy's thimble toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Campanulas are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
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 Fairy's thimble
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Fairy's thimble in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (11 plants)
Questions about Fairy's thimble
- How far apart should I plant Fairy's thimble?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Fairy's thimble need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fairy's thimble need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fairy's thimble?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Fairy's thimble flower?
- From about June for 5–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fairy's thimble 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. Campanulas are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Fairy's thimble?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fairy's thimble. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Alpine: needs sharp drainage (scree, gravel or a rock-garden pocket) and resents winter wet more than cold.
- Runs through scree and crevices on thin stolons, with hanging pale blue bells.
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
- Deodeok (bonnet bellflower) Codonopsis lanceolata
- Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
- Dwarf grassy bells (edraianthus) Edraianthus pumilio
- Dalmatian bellflower (wall bellflower) Campanula portenschlagiana