Campanula thyrsoides

YELLOW BELLFLOWER

Campanula thyrsoides
YELLOW BELLFLOWER

Campanula thyrsoides is such an unusual Bellflower (to use the family common name) that you would be forgiven for not even recognizing it as a member of the Campanula family.

Not blue – but creamy lemon !!!

We automatically know Bellflowers (Campanulas) for being so blue, sometimes white, or even purple – but not lemon.
But here we have a creamy-lemon Campanula !!! (Not yellow, despite the common name of Yellow Bellflower)

Scented too !!!

Nor do we automatically think of Campanulas as being scented – they are usually scentless.
But here we have a sweetly scented Campanula !!!

With crammed spires of bells !!!

But never was there a Campanula that could fit so many flowers on one spire !!!
You cannot fit a pin between the flowers, so it looks like a fox’s brush when it is in full flower.

Superb cut flowers

Happily Campanula thyrsoides does share the family characteristic of providing superb and long lasting cut flowers for floristry.
It normally produces repeating spires from early-summer through to autumn.
And the more you harvest the more spires you get.

Easy to raise from seed & grow in the garden

Campanula thyrsoides is very easy to raise from seed and to grow in the garden.
And if you leave some flower spires to go to seed each year (and not be greedy and harvest them all for showing off with) then they will also happily self-seed in the garden without your help.

Grows in a wide range of positions

Campanula thyrsoides grows happily and blooms its head off in a wide range of positions, from dappled light and shade under trees and shrubs, to full sun positions.
It loves well drained soils, and thoroughly enjoys rocky or sandy soils as well as average garden loam.
It likes a neutral to alkaline soil pH – so a handful of lime is appreciated in acid soils.

Water-wise & able to cope with dry periods

Campanula thyrsoides is well adapted to the conditions in Australian gardens, as it is a native of France, Italy, Central Europe, and Croatia.
Where it grows unassisted in both rocky open places and woodlands.

Naturally ready for hot summers & cold winters

So it is naturally adapted to summer heat, humidity as well as dry periods; and then cold, frosty winters.
Campanula thyrsoides is a water wise plant, coming from such territory, and needs only minimal to normal additional garden water to thrive.

Pretty foliage rosette of  frilled leaves

Campanula thyrsoides is a biennial.
So it makes a very decorative rosette of foliage in its first year, with long, spoon shaped leaves of frilled appearance.
Pretty enough – but then in the second year it erupts with the spectacularly packed spires of bells up to about 50-60cm.
Then it goes to seed, self-sows for next year, and departs this world.
Make sure you leave some stems to go to seed each year to ensure a continuous show of flowers annually.

Bee & pollinator friendly

Campanula thyrsoides is a high-rise deli for our flying helpers, with abundant nectar and copious flowers.

50-60cm. High in glorious towers of flowers x 45cm. Wide rosette of unusual leaves.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow seeds indoors at any time / or scatter in the garden late winter-early spring

Sow indoors for early & quick plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Now gently pat the seeds to the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
But do not cover the seed with mix, as these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing in a shallow water bath.
And allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then drain and cover the seed punnet with a clear lid to retain moisture (glass, perspex or plastic are all suitable).
And place in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight)

Temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heat mat if you have one, but it is not essential. A warm, well-lit corner will do nicely.

Then keep the punnet moist by misting from a spray water bottle as required, but do not saturate.
Covering with a clear lid can help to maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.

Seeds germinate in 10-28 days approx.

Pot on seedlings once two sets of leaves appear to harden off and mature before planting out in the garden.

If Shy – a pretend winter may be needed

However if the seeds are shy to sprout, they have entered natural dormancy and require a period of moist cold to break their slumber.
So wrap the sown, moist punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag, and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 6 weeks.
This will mimic the cold winter these plants are accustomed to.
After 6 weeks, remove, unwrap, moisten thoroughly again, and return to the warm, well-lit position for germination.

Seed Count; 250 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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