With over 300 different species out there, the vast majority of Bellflowers (*Campanula*) are perennials. While they aren’t exactly “divas,” these garden favorites do have some specific needs if you want them to thrive. If you’re wondering how to keep yours looking spectacular, I’ve got you covered with these helpful tips.
Wait, what exactly is a perennial?
Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s clear up what makes a plant a perennial. Essentially, these are herbaceous plants that die back to the ground every fall. While the leaves and stems disappear, the roots (or rhizomes) stay very much alive underground. Because of this growth habit, most perennial Bellflowers are hardy enough to survive the winter and pop back up to say hello every spring.
Perennials need a little TLC!
A lot of folks love perennials because they have a reputation for being “set it and forget it” plants. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s rarely the case—and it’s definitely not true for Bellflowers! To keep them happy, you’ll need to loosen the soil around them regularly to prevent that dreaded standing water (root rot is no joke!). You’ll also want to stay on top of weeding. Even though Bellflowers actually prefer soil that isn’t overly rich, they still need to grab what nutrients are available to fuel that gorgeous blooming season.
Don’t forget to deadhead
One of the best favors you can do for your Bellflowers is to remove faded blooms throughout the summer. If you leave the dead flowers on the plant, it puts all its energy into making seeds. But if you “deadhead” those spent stems, the plant often gets a second wind and produces even more flowers, stretching out your color well into the season.
Keep in mind that as the years go by, an older plant might start to lose its oomph. To fix this, just dig up and divide your Bellflowers every three to five years. It’s like a spa day for your plants—it rejuvenates them and gives you “new” smaller plants to spread around the garden!
To keep your perennial Bellflowers in tip-top shape, remember these four golden rules:
- Regularly loosen the soil to keep it airy.
- Stay on top of weeding so your flowers don’t have to compete.
- Snip off faded blooms quickly to encourage more flowers.
- Divide the plants every three to five years to keep them young and vibrant.
