Campanula rotundifolia 'Olympica', commonly known as bluebell or harebell, is a delicate perennial that rewards cool-climate gardeners with months of nodding, bell-shaped blue flowers from June through September. This rosette-forming upright reaches 9 to 12 inches tall and wide, thriving in hardiness zones 3 through 6 where summers stay mild. Its small, showy flowers emerge singly or in clusters along the stems, each barely half an inch long but collectively creating a stunning display that deer won't touch. The plant's true magic lies in its ability to naturalize, self-seeding reliably in the right conditions to create drifts of blue across meadows and rocky slopes.
Partial Sun
Moderate
3-6
12in H x 12in W
—
High
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Native to northern meadows, grasslands, and rocky alpine areas, this bluebell has a genuine wildflower spirit that translates beautifully into gardens seeking that effortless, natural look. The bell-shaped flowers nod gently on thin stems, creating movement and grace even in a still garden, and their steady blooming through late summer means color when many perennials have faded. Low maintenance and deer resistant, it asks only for cool summers, good drainage, and a spot where it can self-seed to establish itself year after year.
This bluebell is grown primarily for naturalizing in perennial borders, meadow gardens, and rocky slope plantings where its self-seeding habit allows it to establish spontaneous drifts of blue flowers. The nodding blooms suit cottage gardens and alpine troughs, adding delicate texture to spaces designed to echo wild landscapes.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Seed may be started indoors before the last frost, though specific temperature and timing details are not provided in available sources.
Seed may be planted directly in the garden.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage additional bloom and extend the flowering season through fall. Allow some flowers to remain on the plant late in the season if you wish to collect seed or encourage natural self-seeding for next year's plants.
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