Description

Campanulastrum americana, American Bellflower, Organically Grown Native Perennial Plugs, Native Wildflowers, Native Pollinator Support Plants

Campanulastrum americanum, American Bellflower
In spite of the common name and the genus name, derived from the Latin campana (“bell”), the flowers of this species are usually flat, not bell-shaped as are many others in this family. Tall Bellflower was formerly included in the genus Campanula.
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , VA , WI , WV
Canada: NB
Native Distribution: Southern Ont. & NY to MN, s. to GA & LA
Native Habitat: Moist woods; shady streams; thickets
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rich, moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native Bees

Campanula americana, the American bellflower, or tall bellflower, is a bellflower native to eastern North America. Tall bellflowers can be annual or biennial with a varying life-history with seeds germinating in the fall producing annual plants and spring-germinating seeds producing biennial plants.

A 3-4 ft., erect plant with leafy stems. The upper portion of the stem is lined with showy, lavender-blue, five-petaled flowers. Radially symmetrical, light blue to violet flowers borne singly or in clusters in axils of upper leaves and forming an elongated, spike-like cluster.

In spite of the common name and the genus name, derived from the Latin campana (“bell”), the flowers of this species are usually flat, not bell-shaped as are many others in this family. Tall Bellflower was formerly included in the genus Campanula.

American Bellflower was known as Campanulastrum americanum, then Campanula americana, and is now back to Campanulastrum americanum. The flowers are more saucer-shaped than bell-shaped as the other Campanula species are, so should not be confused with the others, Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoide) in particular.

Campanulastrum americana, American Bellflower, Organically Grown Native Perennial Plugs, Native Wildflowers, Native Pollinator Support Plants