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Campanula incurva |
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| Synonym(s) |
Campanula leutweinii |
| Common name |
bellflower |
| Family |
campanulaceae |
| Life cycle |
monocarpic perennial (Z6) |
| Flowers |
light blue or white (early summer) |
| Size |
12" |
| Light |
sun-part shade |
From seed  |
germinate at room temperature with exposure to light
detailed seed-starting info below
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The first time I grew this bellflower, native to Greece, I managed to raise just a single plant from seed, but it was worth the effort. In its second season, it first set a large number of interestingly shaped buds, that proceeded to open just about all at the same time, to reveal powder-blue flowers shaped like flared cups, all held upward to allow a peek inside the bells. According to online sources, it is monocarpic – which means it won't return the year after it flowers. That was true for our plant, and since I did not manage to collect seed, it expired from our garden for years. More recently, I traded for new seed, getting a better crop of plants. Those took three years before they decided to bloom, and the flowers turned out to be white. I will be sure to collect seed this time.
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| | This is the only campanula I've grown that is evergreen in our climate. Still sporting last year's leaves in this early-April photo. |
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We left this plant behind in our Pennsylvania garden (and wish it well); we don't grow it in Houston. Seed for this plant is included on my seed trade list About my plant portraits
PlantLinks to other web pages about Campanula incurva
Visitors to this page have left the following comments| Evelyn Gooch | Jul 19, 2009 | How do I know what zone I am in? I live around Oceanside Calif. This is the first time I saw this plant in the store and I love it. So I don't want to loose it when winter comes.
You're probably in zone 9 - warm enough not to worry about survival through winter - but if it's monocarpic, it will still need to be re-established from seed every year. Ours didn't return after the year it bloomed. |
| Evelyn Gooch | Jul 19, 2009 | The label doesn't say monocarpic on it. It does say "Heavenly Bells". Will that make a difference?
Monocarpic means that the plant lives to flower - after it blooms and sets seed, the plant dies. I don't know if C. incurva is monocarpic, but some internet sources suggest it is, and that matches my own experience. |
| Kristin | Jan 06, 2013 | Wow , what a beautiful plant . Your picture of it is wonderful. I would sure love to get some seeds for that Beauty. It has a very interesting shape and I love the color. You must have a fabulous garden, so many beautiful plants and a great variety. |
| Elizabeth | Mar 19, 2017 | I bought a single plant two years ago. I am really hoping that it will bloom this year. No buds yet. I'm in San Marcos, CA, zone 10a. |
| Patty Rissberger | Apr 08, 2017 | I believe that this native Campanula from Greece comes in a darker blue or purple form? Or am I looking at a different species that I received in a flower a big bouquet. They are stunning and I'm willing to grow them even if they die after blooming. Can you give me information on where to get seeds and/or whether I am off with the species. I'm happy to send a photo of what I have because they're still going strong in her flower bouquet indoors. I live in the willamette Valley in Oregon. I will also try to research through the Zupans from which I believe the flowers were purchased Here in Oregon. Thank you
Many campanulas show color variations within a species. I'm certainly no expert, and don't know what range of colors for C. incurva takes on. I certainly agree they are quite nice when blooming en masse! |
- Seed from '10 trade. Baggy 70F with light (87%G, 6-9d)
Baggy 35F (93%G, 5-7w)
- Same seed as above, cold-stored through summer. Baggy 70F with light (78%G, 7-12d)
- Same seed as above, cold-stored. Baggy 70F with light (75%G, 7-18d)
- Same seed as above, cold-stored. Baggy 70F with light (90%G, 6-14d)
- Same seed as above, cold-stored. Baggy 70F with light (90%G, 6-11d)
Apparently properly stored seed maintains high viability for years.
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