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 December
2003
 Phacelia
sericea
 November
2003
Campanula
rotundifolia
October
2003
Tulipa
batalanii
September
2003
Allium
oreophilum
August
2003
Verbena
canadensis
July
2003
Pterocephalus
pinardii
June
2003
Campanula
kemulariae
May
2003
Delphinium
glareosum
April
2003
Anemone
ranunculoides
March
2003
Trillium
nivale
February
2003
Adonis
vernalis
January
2003
Penstemon
davidsonii v menziesii
Archive 2004
Archive
2002
Archive
2001
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2000
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1999
Archive
1998
Archive
1997
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Plant
of the Month
November
2003
Campanula
rotundifolia
by Iza Goroff
Campanula
rotundifolia is a member of the Campanulaceae, the
family which also contains the genera Adenophora, Asyneuma,
Codonopsis, Cyananthus, Edrianthus, Jasione, Physoplexis,
Phyteuma, Platycodon, Symphyandra, Trachelium, and
Wahlenbergia, all of which have valuable rock garden plants,
as well as other genera which have not yet found places in
rock gardens. The genus Campanula contains about 300
species. "rotundifolia" refers to the round leaves of the
basal rosette; unfortunately these tend to disappear before
the plants flower, and one sees only narrow or thread like
stem leaves.
Campanula
rotundifolia has one of the widest distributions of
any non-weed plant. One of its popular names is 'Bluebells
of Scotland', but it is native to much of the Northern
Hemisphere, including many USA states, even found on my
property in Wisconsin. All forms are suitable for the rock
garden, but the alpine forms pictured here are especially
choice.
Campanula
rotundifolia 'Olympica' is the form from the Olympic
Mountains, Washington State, USA. It is about 4" (10 cm)
tall with almost 1" (2 cm) long blue flowers.
Campanula
rotundifolia ssp arctica 'Mt Jotunheimen' is a
prostrate mound of little narrow leaves tightly packed
circling very short stems only an inch or two (~3 cm) high
with 1/2" (1.2 cm) long good blue flowers. It is a plant of
incredible cuteness!
Campanula
rotundifolia is usually very adaptable in a well
drained open soil, although the alpine forms are best
planted with a north exposure. It is suitable for crevices;
plants in Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula Michigan are
frequently found making specimens in crevices.
The alpine forms may be purchased from alpine nurseries.
Seeds may be available from society seed exchanges. Plants
may be lifted and divided in spring or late fall.
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