Milky bellflower Campanula lactiflora
Milky bellflower (Campanula lactiflora) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Campanulaceae family, native to The Caucasus and north-eastern Turkey. It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 50–70 cm (20–28 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Milky bellflower at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Campanulaceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–70 cm (20–28 in) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | The Caucasus and north-eastern Turkey |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Milky bellflower toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
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 Milky bellflower
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Milky bellflower
- How far apart should I plant Milky bellflower?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–70 cm (20–28 in).
- Does Milky bellflower need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Milky bellflower need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Milky bellflower?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Milky bellflower flower?
- From about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Milky 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 known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Milky bellflower?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Milky bellflower. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- 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
- Billowing heads of pale, milky-blue bells at the back of a border, in sun or light shade. Deep roots make it hard to move once settled; tall plants may need staking in wind.
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