Campanula is a genus of about500 species of annuals, perennials and biennials in the family Campanulaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Campanula is also known as Bellflower for its distinctive bell-like shape, and indeed, these lovely plants have flowers whose petals overlap to form a deep bell shape. They come in many sizes and varieties, from dwarf alpine species to the large-growing woodland varieties. Many of them are cultivated as garden ornamentals.
Name meaning
“Campanula” is a Latin word and it literally means “little bell”.
Campanula is also called “Bellflower” because of its bell-shaped flowers.
Campanula symbolism
Campanula represents gratitude, humility, attractiveness and everlasting love, but it’s also associated with death and is often planted on graves.
Interesting facts about Campanula
The Story of Venus
These flowers have some interesting legends associated with them. The most famous is the story about Venus.
Venus, the Goddess of love and beauty of Rome, was vain and beautiful. She had a magic mirror that anyone who looked into it would appear beautiful and see nothing but beauty. Unfortunately for Venus, one day she lost her precious mirror and an unsuspecting shepherd boy found it. He started looking at himself into the mirror and, overwhelmed by happy feelings, decided to keep that mirror with him. The beautiful Goddess frantically called Cupid to find the mirror on Earth and retrieve her possession. Cupid found the shepherd boy and implored him to return the mirror. But it was too late. The shepherd boy was under the mirror’s spell and could not willingly give away the mirror. In his intent to retrieve the godly mirror, Cupid shot the shepherd’s hand with an arrow to make him release the mirror. The mirror hit the ground and shattered into small pieces. Everywhere a fragment of it landed on the ground, beautiful Bellflowers began to grow.
Is Campanula Invasive?
In many cases, these plants can be extremely vigorous growers and have the potential to become invasive.
Benefits and Uses
The entire plant is edibleand nutritious. Campanula rapunculus, also known as Rampion, was often cultivated for its edible roots. Its roots used to be eaten, raw or cooked, often mixed with other root vegetables. The leaves are said to be rich in vitamin C, and young shoots in spring can apparently be blanched and cooked like asparagus.
Campanula Plant Data
Plant Type:
Annuals, Perennials
Color:
Depending on the species, Campanula produces white, blue, purple, pink or lilac bells.
Hardiness Zones:
3-9
Blooms in:
Spring, Autumn, Summer
Height:
Some species grow just 5 to 10 cm (a few inches) tall, while others can grow 2 metres (6 ft) in height.
