Campanula persicifolia 'TAKION BLUE' peach-leaved bellflower
Campanula
The genus Campanula is one of the largest and most deeply rooted groups within the European flora. Depending on the taxonomic approach, it includes approximately 300 to 500 species, with the greatest diversity concentrated in the Mediterranean region, the Balkans, and the mountain ranges of Europe and western Asia. The genus was formally described by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) in 1753 in his seminal work Species Plantarum, where he already noted its remarkable variability in form and growth strategy. Bellflowers have accompanied people for centuries not only as ornamental plants, but also as part of folk symbolism, where the bell-shaped flower evoked voice, calling and protection. Genetic studies point to an ancient origin and repeated adaptations to extreme habitats, ranging from alpine screes to dry limestone slopes
Takion Blue is a peach-leaved bellflower from the Takion series offering compact, almost dwarf plants of superb flowering. The flowers are large, light violet blue, open wide and outward facing almost like balloon flowers. They come out on about 40 cm tall, densely branched stems. The main blooming flush is in May and June and if regularly deadheaded the plant can produce continuously until August.
Peach-leaved bellflower loves full sun and evenly moist, fertile, neutral to alkaline soil. It will grow in partial shade or filtered sunlight, too. Slugs love its fading flowers and if you deadhead them you can use them to attract slugs into different corners of your garden where they will do the least harm. Very hardy to about -40°C (USDA zone 3), and is suitable for outdoor pots that must not dry out.
Last update 12-02-2015
