The Campanula poscharskyana is a member of the bellflower (Campanulaceae) family and is commonly named trailing bellflower or Serbian bellflower. The trailing bellflower is native to the Dinaric Alps in the Balkan.
The flowers are star shaped instead of bell shaped which is typical for Campanula. The word campanula is derived from the Latin word campanulata which means ‘bell shaped’.
The Campanula poscharskyana forms long stems (about 20 inches (50 cm)) with many flowers. The flower stems trail over the ground, down walls and even upward if there is enough support. This makes the trailing bellflower ideal for growing over walls and brims of pots and it is perfect as groundcover. The flowers attract a lot of bees.
.The Campanula poscharskyana spreads through rhizomes and seed and grows very fast. Before you know it the neighboring plants are overgrown. The seedlings are easily removed. If you prefer a slower growing ground covering Campanula, then the Dalmatian bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana) is a perfect alternative. That Dalmatian bellflower stays lower and spreads more gradually. The flowers of the Dalmatian bellflower are more bell shaped.
The Serbian bellflower grows in almost every soil and tolerates quite some drought and salt. The Campanula poscharskyana tolerates frost. If the winter is not too severe the trailing bellflower stays evergreen.
Attracts bees: yes
Characteristic: evergreen
Deer resistant: yes
Exposure: sun/part shade
Flower color: purple
Flowering time: June – August
Foliage color: green
Fragrant flower: yes
Hardiness: -35 ºC (-31 ºF)
Height: 8 inches (20 cm)
Soil: normal/dry