Peach-leaved bellflower Campanula persicifolia

Apology to Peach-Leaved Bellflower

Years ago, after spending a couple of hours digging out the running roots of a badly-placed plant of peach-leaved bellflower (Campanula persicifolia), I wrote this blog post, in which I called it a “garden enemy,” and got its name wrong too. It’s “peach-leaved,” not “peach-leaf.” I was quite the opinionated little snark about it too, as shown in my response to one of the comments.

Peach-leaved bellflower Campanula persicifolia

Since then, I’ve made my peace with this campanula, and have come to recognize its value, especially in this garden where dry summers, light soil, and lots of shade make growing fussier plants a challenge. For someone who not only tolerates but encourages quite a few semi-weeds, I really had no business lambasting Campanula persicifolia.

Peach-leaved bellflower Campanula persicifolia

Luckily, plants don’t bear grudges for poor reviews, and peach-leaved bellflower is still with me. It pops up reliably in several spots around the garden, and occasionally surprises me by appearing in new places. And in new colours–different shades of lavender-blue and occasionally white.

White peach-leaved bellflower Campanula persicifolia "Alba"
Peach-leaved bellflower Campanula persicifolia flowers and hellebore foliage
Popping up through hellebore foliage

Find out more about peach-leaved bellflower HERE.

27 comments

  3. Plants that come up reliably, without my help, was pretty much the definition of my garden. Native violets in several shades where to be found everywhere, including the lawn. Plus I found some big, hardy ferns in the “dump” that someone had dug out, that were slowly taking over parts of my lawn, with my blessing. And then there were the hostas and roadside orange daylilies, and, oh, yes, a ton or more of limestone rocks hauled in when I was younger to keep down the weeds — the lazy gardener’s best friend.

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    1. I’ve reached the point where I’ve decided that plants that won’t grow in the conditions in my garden aren’t worth the trouble. Ferns and hostas don’t look weedy, so if they do well for you, that’s great.

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  4. Beautiful flower. Funny post. I read your snarky response. (“GIP, garden in peace” Ha!) I’m glad that you’ve made peace with the plant. It’s better for both of you.

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    1. Yes, I think of those bellflowers as friends now. I spent a while yesterday and today carefully snipping off faded flowers and hoping they produce a second batch. Glad you liked the post, JeanMarie!

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  8. Glad to hear you made peace. I have done the same with bee balm. Three years ago, I ripped up all the Jacob Klein and planted a raspberry colored cultivar. For two years, no Jacob Klein, this year back as string as ever. I just act as if I wanted both colors.

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