Campanula portenschlagiana 'Catharina'
Wall bellflower
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Supplied as an established plant in a 3 litre pot
Aspect
Full sun to partial shade
Hardiness
Fully hardy in most parts of the UK.
Flowers
Summer
Soil
Loam, sand, chalk
About this plant
A cascade of violet bells all summer long
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Description
Campanula portenschlagiana 'Catharina' is a compact, low-growing, evergreen perennial producing a profuse mass of small, open, violet-blue bell-shaped flowers over a long season from early summer. It forms a neat, spreading mound of small, rounded, toothed leaves that tumbles attractively over walls, raised bed edges, and the fronts of borders, and it is equally at home in containers and rock gardens where its trailing habit can be shown to best advantage. Like all portenschlagiana campanulas it is a reliable and free-flowering plant, performing consistently in sun or partial shade with very little attention required once established. -
Why we like it
Specs & details
The particulars
- Botanical name
- Campanula portenschlagiana 'Catharina'
- Common name
- Wall bellflower
- Supplied as
- 3 litre pot
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Eventual height
- 15–20 cm
- Eventual spread
- 30–50 cm
- Flowering period
- Summer
- Habit
- Compact spreading evergreen mound
- Life cycle
- Evergreen perennial
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy in most parts of the UK.
- Aspect
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, sand, chalk
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Position
- Front of border, rock garden, wall top, raised bed edge, patio container
- Plant spacing
- 5–6 plants per m²; or allow 30–40 cm between plants
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
Plant calendar
When to plant, when it performs
Planting & care
Help it thrive
Planting guide
Campanula portenschlagiana 'Catharina' thrives in a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade and is an excellent choice for raised beds, rock gardens, wall tops, and the fronts of borders where the spreading stems can trail naturally. Good drainage is the most important requirement; it will not perform well in heavy, waterlogged soils, particularly over winter. On heavier soils, incorporate plenty of grit before planting. Set plants at soil level, spacing around 35 cm apart to allow for the mature spread. In containers and window boxes, use a free-draining loam-based compost mixed with extra grit. It establishes quickly and needs little additional watering once settled into well-drained conditions.
Care tips
Campanula portenschlagiana 'Catharina' is one of the least demanding border edging plants available. Once established it needs little attention beyond an occasional trim. After the main flowering flush in June and July, cut or shear the plant back lightly to encourage fresh foliage and a possible secondary flush of flowers later in the season. In late winter, trim away any foliage that has become untidy or damaged over winter before new growth begins. No regular feeding is needed on average soils; on very poor, thin soils a light application of balanced fertiliser in spring will help support good growth and flowering. Divide congested clumps every three to four years in spring to maintain vigour and prevent the centre from becoming bare.
Winter care
Campanula portenschlagiana 'Catharina' is fully hardy and requires no winter protection anywhere in the UK. The evergreen foliage persists through winter, providing low ground cover and edging interest during the colder months. In late winter or early spring, trim away any foliage that has become damaged or untidy over winter to allow fresh growth to emerge cleanly. No mulching or additional protection is needed in normal UK conditions.