Bluebells - called Campanula by botanists - are a large genus of plants with around 300 to 500 members. Most wild forms flower in shades of blue or purple, but white, orange, pink, or yellow cultivars also exist. The location should be selected according to the respective Campanula species, as they sometimes have completely different needs.
The meadow bellflower likes it sunny
The ideal location depends on the species
The bellflowers, also known as campanula, can basically be cultivated in both sunny and semi-shady locations, with some species even being quite shade-tolerant. The forest bellflower (Campanula latifolia), for example, grows naturally at the edge of the forest and therefore thrives best in light-shaded to shady gardens or balconies. Other species, such as the meadow bellflower (Campanula patula), prefer sunny locations. However, all bluebells tolerate full sun (especially midday sun) more or less poorly and should therefore be avoided.
Bluebells like loose soil
As different as the needs in terms of location may be, the bluebells are in agreement when it comes to soil conditions. All Campanula species thrive best in loose, well-drained, nutrient-rich and fresh (i.e. moist) soil, of course avoiding waterlogging as with almost all plants. Bellflowers cultivated in pots or tubs should also be provided with an appropriate substrate, whereby commercially available potting soil is usually completely sufficient and well accepted. Sandy soils can be enhanced with compost, but soil with a high clay content should be replaced.
tips and tricks
Bluebells are not only easy to cultivate in beds, borders or in pots, but are also ideal for planting in the rock garden - provided, of course, that the substrate meets the needs of the plant.