It’s late June, and one of my favorite perennials for floral arrangements, Campanuala takesimana also known as Korean Bellflower and Campanula punctata also known as Spotted Bellflower, are blooming. These perennial campanula are a cottage garden classic that look like they belong in a fairytale.

Stems are arching sprays and covered with tubular hanging bells, ranging from lilac-purple to rosy-pink to white. The best part is the inside of the bells, which are decorated with the most beautiful spotted pattern. If only I could crawl inside and have a look around like the bees!

I adore this plant for arranging. They are best suited to pared-back design work where they can really shine. Their coloring pairs perfectly with peonies, roses, foxglove, and other early summer flowers. A large vase filled with a straight bunch, or bud vases of singular stems, are other ways to enjoy this flower.

Since the plants are virtually pest and disease free, they really earn their place on the flower farm. Plants spread quickly via underground runners and self-seeding, so give them plenty of room to spread out – you’ll be rewarded with an abundance of stems for cutting for years to come. They can also be propagated by division in spring or fall, and are easy to start from seed.

👩🏽‍🌾 Campanula takesimana and Campanula punctata are easy to grow, preferring well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. They do perform best with moisture, but since they bloom early in the season when moisture is typically adequate, I don’t irrigate them. Stems reach 18”-30” and can be spaced up to 24” as they’ll quickly fill in the surrounding space.

✂️ Harvest stems when the buds are colored but still mostly closed for the best vase life. Stems can also be cut when flowers are open for design work but will have a shorter vase life.

🏺 If harvested when bells are mostly closed, vase life is an impressive 10-14 days. Remove spent bells to continue enjoying stems in the vase. Stems cut when flowers are open will last 3-5 days, still plenty for event work.

Favorite Campanula varieties to look for:

Campanula takesimana - species and ‘Elizabeth’

Campanula punctata – ‘Pink Chimes’

Campanula ‘Sarastro’ - doesn’t spread as vigorously

I hope you’ll love these perennial cut flower Campanulas as much as I do!