Campanula punctata

Campanulaceae (Lobeliaceae)
Ground covers, Perennials, Flowers

CAMPANULA

Vast and varied group (about 300 species) encompassing trailers, creeping or tufted miniature perennials, and erect kinds 1 to 6 ft. high or taller. Usually, flower stalks rise above basal leaf rosettes; basal leaves often differ from stem leaves. The perennial species tend to spread indefinitely from the root; width depends mainly on vigor of their rootstocks and time they have been in one spot. Flowers are generally bell shaped, though some are star shaped, cupped, or round and flat. Bloom comes at some time from spring to fall, depending on species. Most species are grown fairly easily from seeds sown in spring or early summer.

Campanula punctata

Flat basal rosette spreads rapidly by underground runners. Wiry 1–1 1/2-ft. flower stems arch over at tip. Foliage is dark green, toothed, 4–5 in. across, heart shaped; leaves narrower on upper stems. Flowers are 2–2 1/2-in. long, tubular, waxy, shaped like drooping bells in shades from cream through pink to deep maroon. Inside of flower is paler and spotted with crimson. Blooms late spring to early summer, with some scattered bloom until frost.

Forms a dense, weed-suppressing mat between shrubs but is too invasive for mixed borders. Some dwarf forms exist.