138 



Gardening for Amateurs 



extremes being represented by C. lactiflora, 

 5 to 6 feet high, 'and C. pusilla (pumila) 

 3 inches high. Many Campanulas are attrac- 

 tive border plants, thriving well in sunny 

 or half-shaded positions, provided they ob- 

 tain sufficient moisture. Several are worth 

 separate beds on the lawn, notably C. persi- 

 caefolia and varieties, and C. latifolia and 



A Bellflower for the border (Campanula grandis). 



varieties. The taller-growing Bellflowers are 

 very popular for planting in groups along 

 the flower border, while the dwarf kinds are 

 useful in groups along its margin, as well 

 as in the rock garden. 



Planting and Propagating. Most of the 

 Campanulas are easily grown, thriving in 

 ordinary garden soil, preferably of light 

 rather than heavy nature, though the tall, 



vigorous sorts prefer the latter. The dwarfer 

 kinds delight in plenty of leaf -mould and 

 grit, while old mortar-rubble, broken small, 

 is good material to mix in previous to plant- 

 ing. The best seasons for planting are 

 October, November, February and March. 

 Increase by division of the roots may also 

 be done at these times. Numerous kinds 

 may be propagated from cuttings made of 

 the young shoots in spring. These will root 

 readily in a close frame. Seeds form an easy 

 and ready means of obtaining a large stock 

 of plants of most of the perennial Bellflowers. 

 Sow the seeds in a cold frame during April 

 and May, using boxes of light sandy soil. 

 Transplant the seedlings when large enough 

 into other boxes or on a prepared border 

 outside. By growing a varied selection of 

 Bellflowers the season of flowering may be 

 extended from May to September. Almost 

 every shade of blue, purple, and mauve is 

 represented among the perennial Campanulas, 

 and there is also a white variety of most of 

 them. 



A representative collection of Campanulas 

 should include the following : C. allia- 

 riaefolia, 2 to 3 feet, has white nodding 

 flowers from June to August. C. carpatica, 

 9 to 12 inches, bears blue flowers in June and 

 July improved varieties are Isabel, violet- 

 blue ; White Star ; Riverslea, dark blue ; 

 and alba, white. C. glomerata, 1J feet, has 

 purple blooms from May to July varieties 

 of this are alba, white, and dahurica, deep 

 purple. C. Hendersoni grows 18 inches high, 

 and gives purple flowers from June to August 

 this is a cross-bred Bellflower, obtained by 

 crossing C. alliariaefolia and C. carpatica 

 turbiiiata. C. lactiflora is one of the most 

 beautiful of all the tall-growing sorts ; in 

 deep, rich soil, on a half-shaded border the 

 plants reach a height of 5 to 6 feet ; the 

 flowering season is from June to August, and 

 the flowers are pale lilac ; there is a fine 

 white variety, alba. C. latifolia grows from 

 3 to 5 feet high, and has blue, bell-shaped 

 flowers from June to August distinct 

 varieties of this handsome kind are ma- 

 crantha, purple ; alba, white ; Burghalti, 

 satiny-blue ; and Van Houttei, violet-blue. 

 C. latiloba, 3 feet, has light blue flowers 

 July to September ; the variety alba is 

 very attractive. 



