The Campanula persicifolia is a member of the bellflower (Campanulaceae) family and is commonly named peach-leaved bellflower. The peach-leaved bellflower is native to Europe and the north and west of Asia.
The name Campanula persicifolia originates from Latin where campanulata means ‘bell shaped’ and persicifolia ‘leaves like the peach’.
This plant will start flowering in the second year. The first year the peach-leaved bellflower will grow leaves and reach a height of about 10 inches (25 cm). It will spread through rhizomes but is not at all invasive. In the second year it will start blooming. The flower stems can reach a height of about 3 feet 3 inches (1 m) and are pretty sturdy. With heavy rain especially combined with much wind the stems may need some support. In August there is a second modest bloom also if you do not remove the spent flowers.
After bloom the seeds will develop. The peach-leaved bellflower spreads through the seeds. The seedlings are easily removed from unwanted places. I always cut the stems with the ripened seeds and throw them where I want the Campanula persicifolia to grow. They never let me down.
In mild winters the peach-leaved bellflower is evergreen in the first year. After the bloom this plant dies during the winter in my garden. This is why I labelled the peach-leaved bellflower as biennial in the specifications.
In hot summer climates it likes some protection against the sun in the summer. The Campanula persicifolia is drought and salt tolerant but not to too much moist. The peach-leaved bellflower also grows well in full shade.
The flowers of the Campanula persicifolia often appear at the end of May in my garden and are perfect cut flowers.
Attracts bees: yes
Characteristic: biennial
Deer resistant: yes
Exposure: sun/part shade
Flower color: purple
Flowering time: June – July
Foliage color: green
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -35 ºC (-31 ºF)
Height: 3 feet 3 inches (1 m)
Soil: normal/dry