The Greek bellflower, Campanula formanekiana has been superb in the crevice garden this spring. This amazing monocarpic (dies after flowering) species take three years to flower, and when it does, it puts on one heck of show. It’s namesake was Czech botanist, Eduard Formanek (1845-1900). We’re hoping for a good seed set. Hardiness is Zone 7a-9a, at least.
We’ve grown lots of campanulas (bell flower) through the years….109 of them, to be precise. Some are good garden plants, many die, and some even try to take over the garden. After 35 years of trials, the star of the genus is still Campanula ‘Sarastro’. Discovered, named, and introduced by Christian Kress of Austria’s Sarastro Nursery, this superb selection never fails to impress. Here’s our photo this week of it in the sunny gardens here at JLBG, where it reaches 2′ in height and 3′ in width.
One of my favorite spring perennials is Campanula ‘Sarastro’…here is a recent image from the garden. Campanulas are a struggle for us…they either die in our summer heat or take over the garden. One notable exception is the hybrid Campanula ‘Sarastro’, which we’ve grown since 2003, and it just gets better each year. This gem came from Austria’s Sarastro nursery. Coincidentally, we are fortunate to have Sarastro Nursery founder Christian Kress’s amazing daughter Kata, interning with us this summer. It’s been a great opportunity for us both to learn from each other.
Kata Kress
Flowering now at Juniper Level is one of my all-time favorite perennials…Campanula porscharkyana ‘Camgood‘. This amazing perennial flowers as well in full sun as in light shade. Best of all, it’s easy to grow and doesn’t run like many bellflowers. I can’t imagine gardening without it. Hardiness is Zone 4-7 at least.