Willow Bell is Campanula persicifolia 'Telham Beauty', a frost-hardy perennial bellflower that brings European mountain meadow elegance to temperate gardens. Growing 18 to 36 inches tall on stiff, sturdy stems, this variety produces large, outward-facing bell-shaped flowers reaching 1.5 inches across in shades of white. Hardy from zones 3 through 7, it thrives in full sun to partial shade with moderate water needs and minimal maintenance, making it a low-fuss addition for naturalized plantings and cutting gardens alike.
Partial Sun
Moderate
3-7
36in H x 18in W
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High
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Large, broad bell-shaped flowers held on upright stems create striking vertical interest from May through August. The species naturally escaped from gardens and naturalized across northeastern North America and eastern Canada, proving its resilience and garden-to-wild adaptability. Deer and rabbits leave it untouched, and it requires virtually no fussing once established, asking only for average, well-drained soil and regular moisture during the growing season.
Willow Bell is prized for cutting arrangements, where its tall stems and abundant flowers create sophisticated bouquets. It also excels in naturalized drifts throughout perennial borders and wild gardens, where its self-sown habit gradually expands the planting over time. The species' history of garden-to-wild escape in northeastern North America reflects its use in traditional perennial gardening and its role in establishing naturalized meadows.
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Start seeds indoors in a warm location between 60 and 70°F. Sow seeds on the surface or press them lightly into seed-starting mix without covering, as light aids germination. Begin seeds 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors after the last frost date once soil has warmed. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for mature spread.
Harvest flower stems for cutting when blooms are freshly open and petals are fully unfurled. Cut stems in the early morning for longest vase life. Cut just above basal foliage to encourage the plant to produce additional flowering shoots.
Cut back flowering stems to basal rosettes when stem leaves begin to fade after bloom finishes. Deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the blooming period to extend flowering and reduce unwanted self-seeding.
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“Campanula persicifolia, the peach-leaved bellflower, is native to open woodlands, shrubby mountain slopes, and meadows across Europe and Asia. 'Telham Beauty' represents the cultivated refinement of this wild species, selected for its superior flower size and garden performance. The species has proven so garden-worthy that it has escaped cultivation to naturalize in wild areas across northeastern North America and eastern Canada, a testament to both its hardiness and its appeal to generations of gardeners seeking reliable perennial color.”