Garden bell: species, cultivation, breeding

Garden bells are favorite plants not only for professional gardeners, but also for amateurs. These garden perennials can most often be found in the middle lane, they are very unpretentious in growing, for which many flower growers love them so much. Few have heard the botanical name for the garden bell, which sounds like campanula, but it is the official name for this plant. Next, we will take a closer look at the description of the garden bell, find out its varieties and varieties, and also consider the nuances of planting and care.

Bells are herbaceous plants from the bellflower family. Today this genus has about four hundred species of plants. It is known that in this culture there are annual and biennial plants, as well as the most common of them - perennials. Bells are of different heights, tall ones can reach two meters, and undersized ones - only 5-10 cm. In this case, height is not the main characteristic of the plant species, since it often changes due to the growing conditions of the flower.

In addition to wild-growing bells that grow in meadows and fields, experts have developed a lot of new decorative varieties of this plant with unique colors. Artificially bred plants are considered the most suitable for growing in the garden.

There can be one flower or whole inflorescences on the stem of the bell. The seeds of the plant ripen in a special box. Flowering of this plant often begins in the spring, in early May, and continues until mid-summer. It should be noted that some varieties can begin to bloom only at the end of summer, bells are also known, the flowering of which can last up to three months.

Bells are believed to be there are the following types based on their growth:

• annuals;
• perennial.

Bells can be divided into the following types:

• garden;
• field;
• forest;
• mountain.

In height, they can be as follows:

• undersized - no more than 10 cm;
• medium - up to 40 cm;
• high - from 40 cm in height.

Next, we will consider the most relevant varieties and types.

The nettle-leaved winter-hardy bell is one of the most common species that everyone has probably seen. It belongs to perennials, reaches a height of 70 to 100 cm. The plant's stems are thick and straight, the leaves are large, resembling nettles, the lower ones are located on long petioles. Flowers are located in the axils of the leaves from one to three. The corolla is usually lilac-blue or lilac-lilac, less often white color is found.

We recommend paying attention to another perennial - the round-leaved bell. This plant usually reaches a height of no more than 40 cm.Leaves, as the name implies, are rounded. By the beginning of flowering, they die off, but the stem ones at the same time remain green until the onset of the autumn period. The flowers are small, can be lilac, blue or pale blue. This variety is very popular in the Caucasus and in the middle zone of our country.

A beautiful wild-growing bell, which is often planted by gardeners, is a sprawling look. It belongs to biennials, in height it can reach 50-60 cm. Flowers have elongated pedicels, which are collected in a paniculate inflorescence.

Peach-leaved bells are also popular in Russia. Their height can vary from 40 to 150 cm, depending on the place of growth. The flowers can be purple, lilac, blue and white. They are located on short pedicels, which makes the plant very sophisticated. The most relevant varieties include the following:

• "Alba" has white flowers; height - about 80–90 cm;

• "Percy Peeper" has dark blue flowers;

• Moerheimii has luxurious white double flowers; approximate height is 90 cm;

• Caerulea ("Cerulea") has a blue inflorescence; plant height is usually no more than 45 cm;

• "Azhur Beauty" belongs to especially spectacular varieties, since the flowers of this plant do not look like garden bells familiar to everyone.

Of the compact species, you can take a closer look at the Carpathian perennial bell, which does not exceed 10-15 cm in height. It gets along well in a flowerbed with other flowers. The color includes shades from light blue to white, the flowers are very delicate, the leaves are oval, slightly pointed.

This variety belongs to perennials. In height, the plant reaches 30-60 cm. Flowers are usually light purple, less often - pale white. Popular varieties include the following:

• "Gnome" - this variety has deep purple funnel-shaped flowers and matte green leaves;
• "Alba" - white flowers with short pedicels;
• "Caroline" - light pink flowers of the original shape can become a real decoration of the garden;
• "Blue" - flowers have a deep blue color.

The bolognese bell and the small bell can also be classified as field varieties. In demand among gardeners ampel bells "Bride and Groom", which can be planted in pots. And also the name "indoor bell" can be found. Such plants in pots are often sold ready-made by professional flower growers.

Of course, these are not all varieties and varieties.that can be grown without much difficulty in garden conditions.

To plant the selected bell variety, you need to find the right place for it in the garden. This can be a lit or semi-shaded area where the plant will thrive best. This plant does not have any preferences for the soil, the main thing is that it is well-drained and loose. When planting, you should avoid places with high water stagnation. So, it is not recommended to plant bells very close to water bodies.

Plants are usually planted in late spring or early summer. Depending on the type of bell, it can be planted on both calcareous and rocky soil. So, many mountain species, like the Carpathian bell, grow well on the soil where there are a lot of stones... The main care of plants is in the summer. Faded flowers must be removed.

Before you start planting plants, you need to properly prepare the soil. If it is heavy, a complex of fertilizers must be added to it. It is best to purchase ready-made fertilizers, which can be found without much difficulty in any gardening store. In this case, it is undesirable to use manure, since this kind of fertilization can lead in the future to the development of unwanted diseases of the plant root system.

When planting young bushes, it is very important to gently straighten the root system before starting to sprinkle the plants with earth. After planting the plants in small holes, the soil should be tamped well and only then water the young bells. Planting flowers in the fall is possible, but highly undesirable, especially for novice gardeners, since plants may not take root until the first cold weather.

Bells should be watered sparingly. Like any other plant, bells should not be overfilled as this can lead to root rot.

In order for the plants to please with their abundant and healthy flowering, it is recommended to feed them correctly and on time. In the spring, bells are recommended any nitrogen-containing dressing. They contribute to the active growth of plants and the growth of green mass. In the summer, you can use ready-made complex fertilizing with phosphorus content. For the autumn period, fertilizing with potassium is perfect, which will help prepare the bells for wintering.

From time to time, it is recommended to loosen the bells and remove the weeds that have appeared around them by weeding. Perform these steps as needed.

For the winter, it is best to cover flowers using peat or dry leaves. This is especially true for young plants. Despite the fact that there are a lot of winter-hardy varieties, it is best to insure yourself. With proper cover, the bells are likely to bloom in the next season.

It is believed that bells are not very susceptible to any diseases and pest attacks. However, depending on bad weather conditions, such as frequent rains, plants can start to get sick with fungal diseases. They are treated with special fungicidal agents. If the plants are affected by rot, and the leaves begin to wither and die off, then they should be immediately removed, and the plant itself should be sprayed with a special solution. If a white bloom is found on the leaves of the bell, then most likely it is powdery mildew. She is treated with a solution of copper sulfate.

Of the pests, bells are most often attacked by annoying slugs.that feast on the leaves and flowers of plants. It is difficult to deal with them, but it is possible. Preventive measures, such as herbal decoction, hilling and mulching, often help. As a last resort, you can use professional insect and slug repellents.

Perennial garden bells are propagated, usually by collecting seeds or using cuttings. The first method is quite painstaking, and the germination of seeds is not always happy, which is why gardeners often propagate the plant with cuttings. It should be noted that the seeds harvested from terry varieties after planting may differ from the “parents”. Seeds are usually sown outdoors in the second half of October or late spring. The seeds are laid out on the soil and covered with a thin layer of sand. When it comes to home seedlings, flower seeds can be planted as early as March.

If we talk about cuttings, then you should know that only young shoots should be cut, which in the future should be planted in a greenhouse.

Bells are actively used in the creation of garden landscape design, as they are in perfect harmony with many flowers in the flower beds.

Low-growing bells are most often used in group plantings and to create a live border.

All the bells look especially advantageous next to alpine slides and stones.

Bells coexist well with carnations, daylilies, hosts, lilies, roses, aquilegia and geraniums.

For the garden bell, see the video below.