The bell is a large perennial. Field bell: description and classification

The perennial plant bellflower belongs to the Campanaceae family., which has about 300 species. Bluebells are common in the temperate climate of the Northern Hemisphere; more than 100 species grow in our country. This unpretentious plant can be found on the edge of the forest, in ravines, meadows, and even in the mountains.

Name

The flowers of the bell (or Campanula) have long been loved by people; they are affectionately called “bell”, “blue”, “bells”. There is a beautiful belief that on the night of Ivan Kupala, you can hear a bell ringing in the fields. Dozens of bellflower species are successfully grown in gardens, which can be divided into two types: tall (plants of meadows and fields) and low-growing (mountain species).

Description

The plant forms a strong, often branched stem, up to one and a half meters high. Dwarf bellflower species can grow only up to 10–12 cm. The leaves on the stem are alternate, sometimes forming a basal rosette, and green. In some species, the leaf blade and stem are covered with villi.

The flowers are bell-shaped, varying slightly in shape. The color of bell flowers can be blue, light blue, purple, lilac, white. Bells bloom from early summer to late autumn. After flowering, a fruit is formed - a box filled with tiny (over 4000 seeds weigh only 1 g) seeds. Bluebell seeds remain viable for several years.

Types and varieties

Most bellflower species are perennial, but there are also annual plants. Tall species include bellflowers that form a stem higher than 40–50 cm. The most common types are “campanula.”

Low-growing species of interest to the gardener.

• Bluebell Carpathian. It is found on rocky soils with a fair amount of lime, in the mountains of Europe. Forms branched bushes, 20–40 cm high, with large white or blue flowers. Flowering is long-lasting, from late June to autumn. The root of the plant is creeping and tenacious. The variety “Gnome” is especially popular.
• Campanula garganica. The bush grows in a dense cushion, with stems up to 15 cm high. Small blue flowers abundantly cover the curtain.
• Pozharsky's bell. A low plant, up to 20 cm in height, lush bushes covered with pale blue flowers - stars. Prefers calcareous rocky soils.
• Bell dotted. Graceful plants, up to 30 cm high, with large dark pink drooping flowers - bells, elongated in shape. Found naturally in the Far East. Varieties: "Othello" has reddish flowers, "Kent Bell" has blue flowers.

Choosing a landing site

Most bellflower species are light-loving, but can tolerate lacy shade. As a rule, tall species that grow in nature under the forest canopy tolerate partial shade well. Low-growing mountain species should be planted in open, sunny places.

The plant needs fairly fertile soil, always neutral and well-drained. It is better to avoid swampy, low-lying areas with stagnant moisture in spring. Cultivated loams (with the addition of sand and fertilizers) are well suited for bluebells.

Care

In addition to regular weeding and watering in dry weather, the bell is fed a couple of times a season. The first nitrogen fertilizing is given in early spring, as soon as the snow melts. The second feeding, phosphorus and potassium, in the budding phase.

To ensure lush and long-lasting flowering, faded buds must be removed. Tall varieties sometimes need supports for flower stalks.

Pests, diseases

The bell is rarely damaged by diseases and pests. In rainy and cold summers, it can develop root rot. To prevent diseases, under unfavorable weather conditions, plantings are sprayed with phytosporin and foundationazole.

Sometimes the fresh foliage of flowers attracts slugs. Against them, sprinkle the soil around the plant with superphosphate, or spray the leaves of the bell with an infusion of hot pepper.

Sowing bellflower seeds

Bell seeds, although very small, germinate well and do not require any pre-planting treatment. Sowing can be done before winter, in September - October, in a bed with fertile and loose soil, cleared of weeds. For ease of sowing, small seeds can be mixed with clean fine sand. Sowing is carried out on the surface of the ground; there is no need to cover the seeds with anything. In the same way, you can sow a bell in the spring, as soon as the soil dries out.

Many gardeners practice sowing bellflower seedlings in March. The seedling substrate is prepared from a mixture of turf soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1. At a temperature of +20 degrees, bell seedlings should wait 2 - 3 weeks.

Caring for seedlings is not difficult. The plants are provided with a bright and cool place (+18 degrees), moderate watering with warm water. At the age of 2 – 4 true leaves, seedlings are planted in separate cups. A week after picking, the bells should be fed with complex mineral fertilizer with a predominance of phosphorus. The concentration of the solution is made twice as weak as for ordinary flowers.

Young plants are placed in open ground at the end of May, when the threat of frost has passed. For planting, choose a cloudy day, or work is carried out in the evening. Low-growing perennial species are placed at a distance of 10–15 cm, medium-growing (40–50 cm tall) at 25–30 cm, tall bells are planted no closer than half a meter to each other.

Reproduction of bellflower by dividing the bush

A simple and reliable method in which you can expect the plant to bloom the next year. The bell bush is divided in spring or late summer, when the heat of the day subsides. The curtain is carefully dug up and the rhizome is divided into parts with a sharp knife. There must be several stem buds on each division. Root sections are dusted with ash or kept for half an hour in a red solution of potassium permanganate.

The bell cuttings are planted in previously prepared areas. In soils with a predominance of sand, humus and a full complex of mineral fertilizer are additionally added. For loams, it is necessary to add sand and gravel to the bottom of the holes for drainage. Peat and fresh manure are not brought under the bells! After planting, the soil is pressed well and watered abundantly.

Often the bell bush forms a root shoot, which can simply be dug up and transplanted to another place.

Combination of bell with other plants

Tall flowering bells (for example, peach-leaved, nettle-leaved and broad-leaved) look good in single plantings, framed by low-growing flowers - marigolds.

In mixborders, the bluebell will be accompanied by the following garden flowers: roses, phlox,. In compositions in a natural style, the best neighbors of the bluebell are cornflower, lychnis (adonis), and geranium.

Low-growing species look great on alpine hills, in rockeries and as a border crop.

Watch also the video

The bell flower blooms attractively and for a long time, thanks to which it has become widespread in garden cultivation. Despite their rather simple structure, any bell-like flowers are actively used in landscape decoration.

Bellflower: what the flower looks like and its botanical description

The Latin name is Campanula. Belongs to the genus of herbaceous plants and the family Campanulaceae from the dicotyledonous class. Under natural conditions it grows in the Caucasus and Siberia, Asia and Europe. Information on the habitat is very extensive, as is the distribution area.

Field and meadow species are distributed almost everywhere in our country. The plant also inhabits alpine, desert and rocky areas, as well as mountain belts. Perennial herbs have entire alternate leaves, as well as a bell-shaped blue or purple corolla. Some varieties bloom producing purple or white flowers. The seeds are formed in a box-shaped fruit.

Description of popular types of bells (perennial garden campanula)

In total, today there are about four hundred different species, which may differ slightly in their main external characteristics. However, the most popular indoor and garden crops are not so numerous.

The ampelous culture has thin shoots, rounded and finely toothed leaves. The base of the shoot is heart-shaped. Flowers of light blue color are formed in spring or summer.

Photo gallery

Bellflower peach

Campanula persicifolia is a herbaceous perennial with a spindle-shaped, oblique, fibrous root and an erect, simple, sparsely branched, glabrous, slightly ribbed stem part. The foliage is alternate, narrow, linear or lanceolate, dark green and shiny. Blue, blue-violet or light purple flowers are located on short stalks and collected in a one-sided apical inflorescence. The period of mass flowering occurs in mid-summer.

A herbaceous plant no more than 25-30 cm high, with thin and hanging shoots. Most often it is grown as an ampel crop in pots. The foliage is green, round in shape, slightly carved at the edges, located on long cuttings. The flowers are numerous, up to 40 mm in diameter, white and blue.

Campanula latifolia

Campanula latifolia is a herbaceous crop up to 1.2 in height with a powerful and well-developed rhizome and spindle-shaped thickened lateral roots. The stem part is bare, cylindrical, with oblong-ovate foliage, characterized by sparse and soft, bilateral pubescence. Racemose inflorescences are represented by large, purple flowers. After flowering, capsule fruits with ovoid light brown seeds are formed.

The perennial is distinguished by a thin stem part no more than 25-30 cm high. The stem part is without foliage. The shoots are bush-shaped, up to 30 cm in diameter. The foliage is ovoid. The flowers are funnel-shaped, medium-sized, up to 50 mm in diameter, blue, purple or white. Flowering is long and abundant.

Decorative perennial with straight and well-leafed, branched stems up to one and a half meters high. It has a taproot system. The upper foliage is sessile, ovate-oblong, double-toothed. The lower leaves are located on short petioles. Large racemose inflorescences are represented by fragrant milky-white flowers, up to 40 mm in diameter.

Portenschlag's bell is one of the most popular species among amateur gardeners, which does not require special care and is distinguished by its high decorative properties. A very common perennial crop, it has heart-shaped foliage with characteristic jagged edges. It blooms for a long time, from May to September.

Bell dotted

Campanula punstata is a perennial crop with a rather thin and fibrous rhizome. The stem part is erect, slightly more than half a meter high, pubescent, simple, paniculate-branched in the upper part, rough and cylindrical. The foliage is hairy, paler at the bottom. The leaves are numerous.

The basal ovoid foliage is characterized by the presence of red hairy petioles. Stem foliage with short petioles or sessile type, ovate in shape. The flowers are large in size, drooping, located on long stalks, with pubescence. Flowering is abundant and occurs in mid-summer.

Double bell is a very widespread variety of decorative crop in home gardening. It is a variety of Capmanula equifolia. The hybrid form was obtained by crossing the Carpathian species (C.carpatica) with the spoon-leaved species (C.cochlearifolia). The bush-like plant is strewn with double flowers of different colors. The shades of the petals can vary from white to purple. The stem part is thin and flexible, with numerous carved leaves.

Other varieties

There are others, less common, but no less attractive varieties of decorative bells:

• hybrid form "Sarastro" with a bush height of 40-60 cm and a width of no more than 30-45 cm. A fairly compact crop is distinguished by large, numerous flowers of bright purple color. There is no need to tie up strong flower stalks;
• the pyramidal species is known to many under the name "Venus Belt". This perennial plant, up to one and a half meters high, has a smooth and hairless stem part with green foliage and numerous flowers;
• variety "Bernise" It is distinguished by strongly double flowers with an interesting and quite intense color. The height and width of the bush does not exceed half a meter. The flowers are a rich lilac color with petals that very effectively bend on the outside, towards the stem. The flower stalks are durable, and the carved dark green leaves have a slightly rough surface;

Bells: varieties (video)

• variety "Pozharsky"– the plant is very unpretentious, blooms profusely and for a long time, and is relatively tall. The above-ground part is represented by long shoots. The flowers are numerous, star-shaped;
• variety "Thyrsoid" or "Spike" often used in bouquets and is characterized by an erect, powerful, simple, grooved, reddish, densely and short bristly-hairy stem. The basal foliage gathers into a dense and lying rosette. The stem leaves are very closely spaced, numerous, linear-lanceolate, pointed and entire. The flowers are numerous, sessile, collected in dense, cylindrical or pyramidal-shaped spikes no more than a quarter of a meter high;
• variety "Pantaloons" refers to perennial plants with an aboveground part no more than half a meter high. A distinctive feature is represented by double flowers of quite large sizes;

• Caucasian variety "Sarmatian" little-known, but very highly decorative. Grows up to 0.4 m or a little more. Numerous attractive flowers have a very delicate honey scent;
• bell(C.saxifrāga) is a compact herbaceous plant with a height of the aboveground part of no more than 50 mm, slightly pubescent, serrated leaves and bell-shaped flowers of a dark bluish-violet hue;
• variety "Long-columnar"– the plant has an average height, no more than 30 cm in height. The leaves are very attractive heart-shaped. The flowers form a long and narrow, spike-shaped raceme, of a dense bluish-purple or deep blue color. Flowering occurs from May to the end of June. The culture is widely used in the design of rocky hills, and is also planted on borders and used for cutting to make miniature bouquets.

Features of growing bells (video)

Also very well known to flower growers "Chilean bell" or Lapageria with axillary single flowers and wire-like, bluish-green, highly branched branches up to ten meters high. The crowded bell or Freya plant also looks very beautiful.

Growing bells from seeds: technology and timing

The seed material of bells does not need to provide mandatory preliminary pre-sowing preparation. Seeds can be sown directly in flower beds in open ground around May or October. However, to obtain abundant and lush flowering in the year of sowing, it is recommended to grow the decorative perennial crop using the standard seedling method. For this purpose, the seeds are sown in March in planting containers filled with loose and nutritious, permeable soil mixture.

The best nutritious planting substrate based on humus and turf soil, as well as coarse-grained clean sand, mixed in a ratio of 3:6:1, has proven itself. The seed material is lightly pressed against the surface of well-moistened soil. Crops must be covered with transparent plastic film to create a greenhouse effect. Under temperature conditions of 18-20ºC and regular spraying, mass shoots appear in about a couple of weeks.

After the emergence of mass shoots, remove the film cover and place the container with seedling material in a bright and warm place, which must be protected from direct sunlight. Standard care for flower seedlings consists of regular watering with settled water at room temperature, as well as shallow loosening of the soil.

After the first true leaves appear, Seedlings of decorative crops need to be picked into separate seedling pots with a diameter of 10-12 cm. About a couple of weeks after diving, it is recommended to feed the flower seedlings with a special solution based on complex fertilizer.

Planting of seedlings in a permanent place is carried out in the last ten days of May or at the very beginning of summer. A significant part of the varieties belongs to the category of very light-loving ornamental perennials, Therefore, for planting you need to choose areas well lit by sunlight. The composition of the soil suitable for growing crops may also vary depending on the species and varietal characteristics.

Pre-planting preparation for heavy soils involves the addition of sand and humus, and for areas depleted of nutrients it is necessary to apply turf soil and basic fertilizers. It is strictly forbidden to introduce fresh manure and large amounts of peat during the digging process., since in this case the risk of damage to the ornamental perennial by fungal infections increases significantly.

Caring for a beautifully flowering plant is not difficult even for novice amateur gardeners. It is enough to systematically carry out irrigation measures, regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds, and also provide double fertilizing with basic complex fertilizers.

How to care for bluebells (video)

Garden bell is a favorite flowering plant not only for children, but also for many adults. This very unpretentious and decorative crop is perfect not only for decorating the local area, but has also been grown with great success in indoor floriculture for many years.

The flowers, familiar to everyone since childhood, owe their name to their external similarity to miniature bells. Even in Latin they are officially called “Campanula” - bell. We also often affectionately call them bells, chenilles, and chebotki. Like many flowers, they are sung in beautiful legends.

According to one of them, the first church bell was created in the image of this delicate, fragile gift of nature. It was after their quiet ringing was heard after the wind blew that the priest ordered a copper mold to be cast for the temple in the image and likeness of a flower. Even today there is a belief that their quiet crystal ringing can be heard on Ivan Kupala. Another legend tells about the growth of bells on the site of the scattered fragments of the mirror of the goddess Venus.

Many peoples perceive the bell as a good talisman, capable of driving away all evil spirits with its ringing. It is considered a symbol of faith, joy, openness, increase in wisdom, and harmony between Man and Heaven.

There is a sign that bells dream of good news, good changes in your personal life, and a warning against rash actions. And the enthusiastic praise of this flower by poets and artists deserves a separate discussion.

The desire to get an armful of bells is indomitable, but the picked bells quickly fade... In order to admire them for a long time, it is better to grow them in nature or in your apartment. We invite you to get acquainted with the characteristics of flowers and methods of growing them more specifically.

Description of the flower

The bellflower family of the herbaceous genus has more than 300 species. They grow in the temperate climates of Europe, Asia, the Caucasus, Siberia, and North America. They can be seen in the steppes, meadows, mountains, on rocks, and desert areas.

The shape of flowers up to 7 cm long resembles inverted glasses, bells with edges that curve outward. Their surface can be smooth or terry with a variety of colors (white, blue, purple, pink).

Along with racemose, paniculate inflorescences, there are also solitary flowers. Their ripe fruits look like a box with up to 6 slot-like holes.

Until recently, most bluebells were garden flowers, with the exception of indoor even-leaved flowers. Their varieties Alba and Mayi with white and light blue flowers are called bride and groom.

However, today other low-growing, compact terry plants have appeared, which are grown not only in open ground, but also indoors.

They are divided into a significant number of species and subspecies, hybrids. The main criteria for classification as a particular species or variety are the height and timing of growth of these flowers.

Due to the different heights of straight, stiff-haired stems with alternate leaves and bell-shaped flowers, the following types are distinguished:

• short (from 6 to 20 cm)
• medium height (up to 1 m)
• tall (more than 1 m).

Along with these characteristics, the entire number of flowers is divided, first of all, according to the timing of their growth: one- and two-year-old, perennial. To choose the right option among the many varieties of Campanula, let's look at the most popular of them among our gardeners.

1. Annuals bells came to us from the southern regions. In places with cool and temperate climates they are less common.

Among them there are plants of both low and medium height. Here the most popular plant is the eponymous bellflower, low-growing, forked (dichotomous), Kashmiri. Due to their small growth, the flowers look great near borders and on rock gardens.

The short guy never tires of winning over his fans California bluebell(Phacelia bell-shaped) with dark shades of flowers. It is cultivated mainly for decorating slides, borders, container groups, etc.

Medium-growing summer varieties are also very popular in our area: long-columnar and, as if in memory of an ancient legend, the Mirror of Venus. Despite their short lifespan, their numerous flowers from May to early autumn delight with their various colors.

1. Two-year-olds The most common flowers are “natives” from the subalpine zone of the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, Asia Minor and even Siberia. Having grown up in their native climate, they take root well in our country under similar conditions. These include low-growing bearded bluebells.

Among the medium-growing ones, Campanula Medium (medium) can be called a favorite. It has been known since the end of the 16th century and is prone to natural renewal, which is why it is sometimes grown as a perennial option.

Campanula medium Campanula medium

This species has several varieties, where it enjoys special sympathy among many gardeners. Cup and saucer.

This plant is interesting for its flowers like a cup with gracefully curved edges and a thin porcelain saucer. The beauty is collected in a large inflorescence, which can accommodate about 50 bells with a diameter of up to 8 cm and a wide color palette.

Along with them, varieties of coarse-haired, Hoffman, thyrsus-shaped, and spicate bells are also popular. In many gardens, such biennials are grown as: Siberian, Moesian, laurel, spatulate, divergent, spreading, pyramidal, Sartori, Formateca, etc.

1. Perennial species are found much more often than those growing for 1-2 years. They are also divided into subgroups depending on the height of the plant.

Among short species, the leader in prevalence is occupied by the Carpathian bell, born in the mountains of Central Europe. It has been known in floriculture for about 250 years. The plant barely reaches 30 cm and has stems with densely arranged leaves. However, it is short-lived, because it lives in one place for no more than three years.

Its most famous garden forms are Alba and White Star with snow-white single funnel-shaped flowers. These are also Isabel, Celestina, Blaumeize, Riverslea, Centon Joy, Karpatenkrone with sky blue, blue, purple flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm. And if these varieties are more adapted to open spaces, then the miniature Klip can also be grown as an indoor crop.

Popular low-growing bells also include varieties Gargan, spiral-leaved (spoon-leaved), birch-leaved, daisy-leaved, Ortana, Radde, three-toothed, Shamisso, Uemura and many others.

Medium height perennials are represented by Takeshima and Komarov bells, dotted with numerous stems, simple and double flowers of various colors and sizes. Here the best varieties are considered to be Beautyful Trust, Wedding Bells, Alba-nana, Rubra.

BELL TAKESHIMA "Beautiful Trust"

It is worth paying attention to the hardy Platycodon, which is often called broadleaf. It is notable for its luxurious double large flowers of various colors. Its best varieties are Album, Nanum, Marisil, Pleno Alba and a number of others.

Among this subgroup, the most popular medium bell with double flowers should again be mentioned. It is very unpretentious, cold-resistant, but loves bright places with moist soil. Its lifespan can be long due to self-seeding (natural renewal). In warm regions, Campanula Medium opens its buds even in the first year of planting seeds.

Tall perennials grow in their natural environment along river banks and in the forests of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Siberia, and Asia Minor. Varieties have been bred in the culture, the names of which indicate the characteristics of the leaves.

They differ not only in the height of the stem, but in the richer aroma of the flowers. Some names focus attention on the color of the flower, for example, milky (Cerulea, Pritchard Verajeti).

This category also includes noble-flowered, Bolognese, nettle-leaved with double flowers, crowded, rapunzel-shaped bells. Along with them, peach leaves are very popular (Bernice, Tetham Beauty, Exmouth, Snowdrift, New Giant Hybrids).

This far from complete review allows you to get an idea of ​​the wide selection of bells for growing on your property, balcony, or room.

Growing from seeds

This method is the most universal, and the only one for annual bells. It can also be successfully used for biennials and perennials, except for varieties with double flowers. The exclusion of the latter is explained by the fact that the seedlings are not able to retain these characteristics or the seeds may not set.

Preparing seeds and soil does not involve the use of complex agricultural techniques. Bell seeds do not require preliminary preparation for sowing. Regarding the soil, some plant varieties are well adapted to calcareous, rocky places. However, most varieties of bluebells are suitable for neutral/slightly alkaline soil, well-drained loam.

Preparing the soil chosen for planting flowers involves deep digging. For heavy soil, sand or humus is added, and depleted areas are enriched with humus and fertilizers. At the same time, in order to avoid the risk of fungal diseases, you should not use fresh peat or manure that has not completely rotted.

Using the seed method for growing seedlings allows you to see flowers already in the first year after planting.

• To do this, small seeds are sown in containers with soil prepared in advance from March.
• At the same time, they are lightly pressed with the palm of your hand, and not sprinkled with earth.
• The substrate must be light, loose, permeable and pre-moistened.
• This is achieved by mixing turf soil, humus coarse sand in a ratio of 6x3x1.

After sowing, the contents of the container are sprayed with water, covered with film and placed in a warm place up to +20 ºC. After 15-20 days, shoots appear, seedlings are transferred to a place where direct rays of the sun do not reach.

Here, traditional care for seedlings of many flowers is carried out without covering with film. This is watering when the top layer of the substrate dries, careful loosening around the young shoots.

When the first true leaves appear, after 20-24 days, diving is carried out into separate containers at a distance of at least 10 cm. After this, after 2 weeks, the shoots should be fed with a liquid, weakly concentrated complex fertilizer.

Sowing seeds directly into open ground is done before winter in the 2nd half of October or in spring (end of May). When sowing in autumn, the natural selection of full-fledged seeds will take place in the winter, and the strongest of them will sprout together in the spring. These seedlings can be used for planting in the chosen location.

May sowing requires stratification lasting 2 months. However, this somewhat lengthens the path from seed germination to flowering plants.

It should be taken into account that bells sown in this way are used for the first year to develop roots and leaf rosettes. Only in the second year of life do they grow shoots with flower ovaries.

Grown seedlings are planted in open ground from the end of May to the end of the first ten days of June. When choosing a location on a site, you should give preference to light or slightly shaded areas without drafts. It is advisable to place the bells away from trees and bushes to obtain sufficient nutrition and moisture.

When planting low-growing seedlings, the distance between flowers should be up to 15 cm, medium-growing - up to 30 cm, tall - up to 50 cm. Upon completion of planting, the soil near future bells is carefully compacted and well moistened.

To preserve moisture and prevent the appearance of weeds, the row spaces can be mulched. Gardeners note that thanks to seedlings, you can admire flowers already in the first year of their earthly life.

Bell Raspberry ringing

One of the attractive qualities of bluebells is their ease of care. It consists of regular watering during hot weather, further loosening the soil around the flowers, and removing weeds. Tall varieties will need staking or securing to supports.

• Fertilizing is carried out in the spring with nitrogen fertilizer to increase the vegetative mass and earlier flowering.
• During budding in early summer, phosphorus or complex additives are needed.
• In autumn, potassium fertilizers are applied to increase the winter hardiness of the plant.
• If a particular variety prefers the soil to an alkaline, neutral reaction, it is important to reduce the existing acidity with the help of ash.
• In summer, moderate application of rotted humus is suitable.

In order to extend the flowering time, it is necessary to remove fading inflorescences. At the same time, all faded shoots of tall varieties are cut off. If you plan to collect seeds, then browned, but not yet opened, boxes are left on the plant.

How to collect seeds

For long-term cultivation of your favorite bells, seeds are collected from mid-August to the end of September. It is noteworthy that 1 g contains up to 5,000 small, light seeds.

Harvesting begins after the boxes turn brown and are about to open. Pre-cut inflorescences should be placed on thick paper or canvas in a dry, well-ventilated room.

Clean the crumbled seeds from the remains of bolls and dried leaves, and then use them for growing seedlings or in open ground.

In case of delay in timely collection, they are allowed to fall on the ground. Due to self-seeding, the cycle of seed convergence will be repeated without additional stratification and all the processes of growing bells.

Among the many advantages of bells is their resistance to pests and diseases. These undesirable phenomena can occur when flowers are grown in one place for a long time. Indeed, in this case, the soil accumulates various harmful microorganisms.

And their constant presence in contact with plants provokes disastrous consequences for them. Treatment of flowers with a weak solution of Fundazol helps to avoid such negative phenomena.

Excessive humidity can favor the appearance of slugs. Here, an effective means of control can be spraying the plants with a decoction of hot pepper or superphosphate granules sprinkled between the flowers.

Along with the seed seedling method, there are other options, the use of which depends on the biological characteristics of the variety and plant type. So, if one-year-old bells reproduce by seeds, then two-year-old bells prefer vegetative ones (by seeds and cuttings).

Species of perennials with taproot and carpal root systems are considered vegetatively immobile and can reproduce by their seeds. Plants with creeping long roots, classified as vegetatively mobile species, tolerate all these methods + bush division well.

However, it is better to propagate perennial flowers:

• parts of rhizomes,
• root cuttings,
• stolons,
• dividing the bush.

Despite the possibility of seed reproduction, these species lose their generic characteristics. This is especially reflected in double varieties, which even lose their ability to produce seeds.

With the vegetative method, cuttings are prepared in the spring. From early March to mid-April, they are cut from young basal or stem shoots. Then they are planted in a loose substrate and placed in microgreenhouses, under a film to maintain optimal humidity. Within a month, the cuttings begin to grow roots, after the development of which, you can begin planting the plant.

The use of propagation by dividing the bush is permissible after 2-3 years of plant life. To do this, in May-June, a large bush is selected, dug up, and the above-ground stems are cut off.

Dividing the bush into parts is carried out with a sterile, sharp garden knife. Each part must contain developed healthy roots and renewal buds. The cutting areas of each cutting are treated with crushed coal or ash, and then immediately planted in abundantly watered soil.

When propagating the rhizome in parts, only the creeping part is dug up, from which cuttings from the mother plant with renewal buds are made. They are planted in the ground with an open bud above the soil surface.

Bluebells bloom twice: video

Thanks to the varieties of flowers, their growth, and multicoloredness, these plants provide a wide field for imagination when decorating the landscape. They can be used as spectacular accents on lawns, flower beds, and edgings. Bells are indispensable when creating constantly blooming compositions.

The bell is suitable for both flower beds with perennial flowers and well-groomed green lawns. In landscape-type compositions, it perfectly coexists not only with its “brothers” - bells, but also with other flowers. These are spectacular roses, colorful phlox, unique adenophora and gypsophila.

Due to the long-lasting decorativeness of flowering, it looks organically with common cosmos, hollyhocks, calendula, carnations, black-browns, ferns, hosta, etc.

The harmony of flowers from different varieties, species with each other, and other representatives of the fauna deserves special consideration. The main thing is that the bell allows every gardener to show their talents as a landscape designer.

Garden bells, Platycodon: video

This fluffy indoor flower has captivated gardeners with its sophistication, delicate aroma and unusual appearance. Velvet foliage, stems and even bell-shaped inflorescences are pubescent and, in combination with bright buds, evoke admiration and set the mood for a romantic mood.

Description

Koleria is a genus of plants in the Gesneriaceae family, numbering more than 65 species. It grows in the tropical forests of South America, in the shade of tall trees.

The generic name was given in honor of the 19th century scientist. M. Kohler. Popularly known as the Colombian bell and the Colombian beauty.

Velvety elongated leaves with rounded teeth amaze with their richness of colors: green with red veins, olive with light veins, with white or reddish pubescence.

Bright bells appear among the foliage on thin peduncles. Corollas with a tube reach 5 cm. Some flowers look like thimbles.

The color palette of the buds surprises with the variety of shades: pink with a speckled white throat, orange with a yellowish spotted throat, brownish with a light pattern inside.

Indoor types of colors

Many different color varieties of koleria have been bred. Flowers often combine several shades and are decorated with dots and strokes. The varieties also differ in the size of the plant and bud.

The Colombian bellflower comes in standard, compact and miniature forms.

Standard varieties:

• Coleria foxglove has shoots up to 80 cm long. The leaves are light green, 15 cm long. A bell with a pink tube and a light green speckled limb.
• Koleria fusiflora is a very elegant variety with dark green leaves with red edges and reddish fibers and large orange-red flowers with yellow dots. Blooms for a long time.
• Koleria Jester is a fairly large variety. Velvety emerald foliage with a bronze touch. The petals of the burgundy tubes are decorated with dark dots.
• Koleria bogota up to 60 cm tall with green leaves. The bud is yellow-red, with purple specks inside the petal.
• Coleria pleasanta has shorter shoots - up to 40 cm, dark green fuzzy foliage and pink flowers with a crimson pattern.

Compact varieties:

• Koleriya Varshevich - 40 cm tall. The flowers have an original color - the tube is lilac with silver fibers, the lemon-colored petals and pharynx are decorated with crimson dots.
• Koleria Eriantha is a bush with green leaves decorated with a red border. Petals of scarlet fuzzy tubes with burgundy dots. The tube inside is yellow with specks.
• Koleria Linden is 30 cm high. It stands out for its spectacular foliage: dark green, pubescent. The flowers are purple with spots.
• Koleria Red is the most common species with red flowers. The petals are ruby ​​with specks, red rays emerge from the pinkish-white throat.

Miniature colors:

• Coleria poppies with small yellow-orange bells in red spots, turning into a border. The leaves are rich green with spots.
• Koleria Ganymede is an unpretentious plant. Orange flowers with red dots on yellow edges contrast with smoky green foliage.
• Koleria Flet blooms for a long time with crimson bells with spots on light petals. Pearl-green foliage is also decorative.

Indoor varieties of koleria - photo gallery

Koleria Varshevich is valued for its original coloring of flowers Koleria fusicolor is characterized by velvety dark green leaves with pubescence Koleria Bogota has an amazing bud color - yellow-red with burgundy specks Linden's koleria stands out with decorative leaves with stripes and spots Against the background of the red-burgundy tubes of Jester's koleria the petals look impressive with large dots Koleria Ganymede - a miniature unpretentious variety Miniature Koleria Flet is distinguished by long-term flowering Koleria Eriantha has green leaves decorated with a red border Red Koleria - the most common type Koleria Poppies - a miniature variety with bright orange spotted flowers Koleria foxglove - a large, densely pubescent plant Koleria has pleasant flowers hot pink with speckled pattern

Types of colors - video

Conditions for keeping the colony at home

Koleria is a completely undemanding plant. It is easier to maintain than many other Gesneriaceae.

Comfortable conditions - table

Lighting	Koleria loves light. In good light it grows compactly and blooms well. In the shade, the shoots stretch out, the leaves become smaller, and the bush falls apart. The room is shaded from the bright sun with a light curtain or mesh. The most suitable place is the western and eastern window sills. On the south side, the flower is placed away from the window.
Temperature	Comfortable temperature for a flower is moderate: in warm weather +20–25°C, at rest when flowering stops +15°C.
Humidity	Kohlerias are less demanding on humidity. But they still prefer a humid microclimate. If the apartment is very dry, humidify the air by spraying, but not the plant itself. You can increase the humidity by placing a vessel with water near the flower.
Watering	From spring to autumn, water moderately. In winter, watering is reduced.
Fertilizers	In spring and summer, feed with liquid fertilizers every week.
Transfer	The rapidly growing collection is transferred into large, shallow containers every spring.
Reproduction	Propagated by seeds, cuttings, rhizomes.
Crown formation	The tops of overgrown shoots are pinched for better branching and the formation of a beautiful crown.

Transshipment and transfer

Koleria prefers loose soil. You can use soil for violets or prepare it yourself from leaf soil, peat and sand (2:1:1).

The main part of the roots is close to the surface, so choose a shallow and wide pot. Material - ceramics, plastic. In clay dishes, moisture evaporates more slowly, and the roots overheat less. Drainage is laid at the bottom with a layer of 2 cm.

Transshipment takes place in early April.

1. Half an hour before transplanting, water the flower.
2. Carefully remove the plant along with the soil.
3. Carefully inspect the roots and remove damaged areas.
4. Divide the overgrown rhizome into parts.
5. Place drainage at the bottom of the pot and sprinkle the prepared substrate on top.
6. The plant is planted, covered with soil, and watered.

In an overly large pot, the plant will direct all its forces to the development of the root system.

After purchasing it in a store, the “furry pet” needs to get used to the new conditions. Then it should be transplanted. When transplanting, the rhizome is inspected, the young shoots are seated so that they do not crowd each other.

1. The plant is removed from the pot.
2. Completely free the roots from the earthen coma.
3. Inspect the root system, cut off dry or rotten areas, sprinkling the cut areas with ash.
4. Pour fresh substrate into a container with drainage.
5. Plant a plant and water it.
6. At first, they look after the transplanted flower and shade it from the scorching sun.
7. A healthy plant in good soil will soon take root.

With age, koleria forms hanging shoots and can grow in the form of an ampel. If you grow it in the form of a bush, decorative support is often used to fix the shoots. You can put a thin stick in the pot and tie up the stems, or choose stands in the form of rings that will hold the overgrown adult plant well. If you fix the upper part of the flower on a holder, the lower shoots, falling, form a beautiful cascade.

Caring for indoor plants

Koleriya is easy to care for and adapts perfectly to the normal home microclimate. But in order for it to fully reveal its decorative qualities and bloom magnificently, it is necessary to fulfill a number of requirements.

Watering

The plant does not like too moist soil - the fragile root system quickly rots. Water moderately throughout the growing season. In winter, watering is reduced: when the shoots die, the soil is only slightly moistened, preventing the roots from drying out.

Water along the edge of the pot so that droplets of water do not fall on the foliage. You cannot use hard water from the tap; it should be left to settle or melted water should be used.

The tropical guest needs high air humidity. For this purpose, carry out regular spraying near the flower, under no circumstances moistening the leaves.

Important! The velvet bell is a big sissy: the leaves often dry out when touched, and moisture leaves stains on the fluffy foliage.

Fertilizers

During flowering and during the growth period, feed once a week. Use liquid fertilizers for flowering plants. Doses should be small, exactly according to the instructions.

A good organic feed is vermicompost, which stimulates rapid growth. Fertilize with organic matter in the spring, before budding.

It is useful to feed the flower with ash containing potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and sulfur. It is added to the soil during transshipment or a liquid fertilizing is made (ash solution 1 tbsp per 1 liter).

No fertilizing is carried out during the resting phase.

Rules of care - video

Bloom

Most koleria bloom in early July, with buds appearing until November. The faded arrow is cut off, which stimulates the appearance of new buds. After flowering, the plant goes into a dormant state, but some species bloom all year round.

How to make koleria bloom:

• In a dark corner, you may not be able to wait for flowering. The plant should be moved to a bright place.
• In a pot that is too spacious, the koleria will grow roots but will not bloom.
• A small number of buds may be due to a lack of microelements. A good nutrient medium is the key to abundant flowering.
• Dry soil is also a possible reason for the lack of buds.
• Peduncles form on two to three year old plants, only occasionally in the first year of life.
• Provides abundant flowering and timely pruning of numerous shoots.

If you regularly take care of the tropical guest, you can see abundant flowering, when 15–20 buds bloom on one bush at once.

Rest period

In winter there is a dormant phase when the plant accumulates strength. The above-ground part dies off, dried shoots must be removed. The pot is transferred to a bright place with a temperature of +14°C and watered to a minimum, just without drying out the soil. By the end of winter, the flower comes to life and young shoots appear.

It happens that the period of rest in indoor varieties is not clearly visible or is completely absent. New shoots may grow before old ones die off. If a flower has sprouted and does not want to “fall asleep,” you should not send it to rest.

In winter, you can arrange additional lighting, for example, by installing a Reflex lamp no closer than 50 cm from the plant. Install it on top so that the light is distributed evenly. In such favorable conditions, the flowers will bloom all year round.

Rest period - video

Crown formation

To create a beautiful appearance, a crown is formed. Strongly grown shoots are pinched and after flowering the shoots of the peduncle are cut off. Pruning promotes branching and the appearance of new buds. You can even cut off the top with buds and root it in a greenhouse.

When a pair of adult leaves grow on a young bush, the top is shortened again. If you do not form a crown, the shoots will lie down, transforming the plant into an ampel.

The best ampels are red varieties and mini varieties.

Errors in caring for indoor plants

Growing a tropical beauty in unsuitable conditions immediately affects its condition.

Possible problems - table

Symptoms	Errors	What to do
Dark spots on leaves	Use for cold water irrigation.	Water with warm water, protect from drafts.
Pale leaves, elongated shoots	Bad light.	Place it closer to the light, use additional lighting.
Curling leaves	Response to drought and heat.	Humidify the air and monitor the temperature.
White stains on foliage	Water got on the leaves.	Do not spray.
Yellow spots on leaves	Sunburn.	Protect from bright sun. Remove damaged leaves.
Fall of buds and flowers	Insufficiently nutritious soil.	Feed with fertilizers.
Yellowing of leaves	Dry or excessively humid air, excess fertilizer.	Create a comfortable environment, reduce the dose of fertilizing.
Lethargy of leaves and stems	Root rotting during flooding.	Cut off rotten areas, update the substrate.
No flowering	Poor lighting, lack of power.	Feed the plant, improve lighting.

Pests and diseases

In comfortable conditions, a tropical flower rarely gets sick. Dense pubescence repels most harmful insects. But koleria can become infected from other plants or react painfully to violations of the rules of care.

Main diseases - table

Photo gallery - diseases and pests of Koleria

Reproduction

Koleria is propagated by seeds, cuttings and rhizomes.

Propagation by seeds

Seeds are sown in January. Since they germinate in bright light, they are distributed superficially, without sprinkling.

1. Seeds are placed in a container with moistened peat and sand.
2. Cover with transparent film and keep warm.
3. Ventilate, remove condensation, moisturize.
4. Seed germination takes several weeks.
5. Shoots dive according to the pattern 1x2 cm.
6. A month later, a second pick of 3x3 cm is carried out.
7. Grown seedlings are planted in containers and given normal care.

Leaf propagation

The most common propagation method is vegetative: by leaves and cuttings.

Select a healthy leaf with a juicy petiole, make a cut and lower it shallowly into water. Cover with film. When callus (a growth from which roots then grow) is formed, it is planted in the ground under a greenhouse. It is necessary to maintain the air temperature +23–25 o C.

Sometimes the leaf is immediately planted at an angle of 45 degrees in moist, loose peat soil to a depth of 5 mm and placed in a mini-greenhouse. Ventilate regularly and remove condensation. Rooting lasts 1.5–2 months. The resulting children should not be in a hurry to be torn from the mother’s sheet - let them grow up.

They are separated with 3-4 leaves into pots. Leaf propagation is a long process - 3–4 months. Young plants will bloom next year.

Leaf propagation - video

Propagation by cuttings

The fastest way to propagate a tropical flower is by apical or intermediate cuttings. They can be cut all year round, but with spring cuttings, roots and new shoots will appear faster. A young plant will bloom less profusely than an adult that has managed to grow rhizomes.

1. The cuttings are dipped into water with dissolved activated carbon or buried 1.5 cm deep in moist soil and covered with film.
2. The mini-greenhouse must be ventilated.
3. The shoot takes root within 7–10 days.
4. Young plants are transplanted into the ground, protecting them from temperature stress.

Reproduction by rhizomes

When transplanting, you can find scaly rhizomes in the ground - rhizomes, usually cream or pinkish in color. They serve to accumulate nutrients and moisture. Large rhizomes divide.

They are planted in a light substrate, deepened by 2 cm, and watered moderately. Rhizomes are usually not placed in a greenhouse. After 1.5–2 weeks, the sprouts will hatch. After 2 pairs of leaves appear, they can be planted in separate cups.

Rhizomes can be propagated at any time; in the spring the process is faster.

Young plants will quickly grow and bloom after a while

Planting rhizomes - video

All bells have a varied appearance and grow in central Russia and in the south of its country. Flowers tolerate heat, low temperatures and various diseases well. A description of the best varieties and brief information about the homeland of growth are given below.

In the modern world there are many bells that are grown in garden conditions and delight the gardener with their flowers. Now let's look in more detail at the varieties of this plant.

Peach leaf ( Campanula Persicifolia)

This non-perennial variety lives only 2-3 years, after which it dies. It is called Peachleaf because of its leaf blades that resemble peach leaves. The height of the bush is 100 cm. Flowering continues all summer long if drying shoots are pruned in a timely manner. Flowers have different shades:

• Blue;
• Purple-blue;
• White double flowers.

The seed pods ripen at the end of August. Prefers sunny places.

If groundwater lies close to the soil surface in the garden, then there is a need for a drainage pad made of fine gravel 10 cm high.

Field or Meadow

Field bells are found, as the name suggests, in the wild in the fields and meadows of our country. Bush is not very tall, 40 cm. The flowering of the meadow plant lasts throughout June with lilac flowers.

Perennial varieties

All varieties are perennial. And therefore, when choosing a place for them in the garden, you should take this into account.

Garden

There is no separate species of Garden flower, but any wild or varietal flower can grow in the garden.

Roundleaf (Campanula rotundifolia)

The plant is tall and grows to a height of 60 cm. The leaf blades die off during flowering. Blue flowers bloom in June. This type of Bluebell is considered medicinal.

Spreading (Campanula patula)

The Caucasus Mountains are considered the birthplace of this plant. This is a two-year-old plant with a herbaceous straight stem, highly branched, due to which it grows as a very spreading bush. The leaf blades are arranged spirally on the stem, have an oblong shape, pointed towards the end of the plate.

The flowers are collected in a panicle and have a lilac color and, depending on the soil and lighting, sometimes acquire a light purple tint. Each individual flower is shaped like a funnel consisting of five equal parts. Flowering begins in early June and lasts all summer. It easily propagates by self-sowing, but if there is a desire to collect seeds, then you need to catch the moment of their maturation and shake them out of the flower.

Crowded (Campanula glomerata)

The tall plant has a straight, slightly pubescent stem. The leaf blades change as they grow; young ones have the shape of a pointed heart. In an adult plant, in the second year of its life, egg-like leaf plates grow up to 7 cm long and 3 cm wide..

Most flowers are bright blue in color and have a standard bell shape.

The plant is winter-hardy and easily tolerates winters in Russia.

The plant does not tolerate seasonally prolonged rains, and as a result, it is watered only during times of prolonged drought.

Flowering lasts only one month, but if you cut flowers into bouquets, flowering continues throughout the summer.

Altai (Campanula altaika)

A perennial only 25 cm high, the leaf blades are elongated and green. Small blue bells. Flowering occurs at the end of June and lasts about a month.

Siberian (Campanula sibirika)

The plant is not tall up to 20 cm. With green leaves and lilac bells. Flowering lasts all summer and September.

Bolognese (Campanula bononiensis)

It has healing properties; the stem, up to 70 cm high, is crowned with pink bells. The leaves at the bottom are rounded; the leaves at the top are straight and narrow.. Flowering lasts throughout June.

Rapunculoides (Campanula rapunculoides)

Long stems can grow up to a meter in height. The flower arrow is long and all dotted with blue, pink and white bells. This variety blooms all summer.

Broadleaf (Campanula latifolia)

This tall plant grows up to 130 cm and has tight stems. The lower leaf blades have a rounded shape with small teeth along the edge of the plate. The upper leaves are elongated with a pointed end. Flowers grow from the axils of the upper leaves and are up to 4 cm long.. The flower brush itself is 20 cm high. The flowering of the species lasts two months, starting in early July. Depending on the variety, the flowers are:

• Violet;
• Lilac.

Loves the lacy shade of trees and does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

Nettle leaf (Campanula trachelium)

This perennial has a bush height of 55 cm. The leaf blades are similar to nettle leaves, which is why it got its name. Its flowers come in both double and simple forms.. Flowering occurs all summer. It reproduces poorly when dividing the mother bush and has strong frost-resistant qualities.

It reproduces almost exclusively by seed.

Rough-haired Deer (Campanula cervicaria)

It is also popularly called St. John's wort. The plant grows to a height of one meter and has stiff stems. The foliage is gray-green, the lower leaf blades are more rounded than the upper ones. It blooms with small blue bells in May and June.

Growing

This plant can easily be grown on Moorish lawns and garden beds, as it does not cause any trouble in caring for itself.

Planting in open ground

When choosing places in the open ground, you need to choose a place where there will be a lacy shadow of a tree and there is no stagnation of water. Seedlings are planted in early May or June when the threat of return of frost has passed.. There should be plenty of space since bluebell bushes usually grow well.

Bluebell grows well on eastern slopes.

If there is poor soil in the area, add a handful of humus to each hole. A seedling is placed in the center of the hole and earth is poured around it and compacted with hands.

After planting, water the seedlings well.

Care

To prolong the flowering of bluebells, promptly remove faded flowers.

Any variety of bells responds poorly to increased watering, as this can lead to rotting of the plant's root system. The lighting can be quite sunny, but bells also tolerate light partial shade from trees..

Fertilize the plant annually in April with mullein infusion or any nitrogen fertilizer.

Apply all fertilizing to moist soil.

Reproduction

The easiest way to propagate bells of any variety is using seeds.

Seed propagation in spring

In early March, seeds are planted in containers with bottom drainage holes to drain water. Soil is purchased for seedlings or made up yourself, taking in equal proportions:

• Sod land;
• Leaf soil;
• Peat;
• Sand.

The seeds are watered and covered with glass or a transparent bag to improve seed germination. When most of the seeds show their noses from the ground, the cover is removed, placed in a brighter place, but without direct sunlight, so that the tender seedlings do not burn. Further care consists of timely watering and rotating the seedlings relative to the sun.

Maintain good lighting and moderate humidity, otherwise the blackleg disease may appear.

Seed propagation in open ground

Seeds are sown in early November or spring in May in previously prepared soil. There is no need to soak the seeds; they are mixed with sand and poured evenly onto the ground. The first shoots appear after 15 days. Further care is carried out with the help of watering and timely weeding.

If the weather is cold in the spring in May, the bellflower crops are covered with any shelter.

Dividing the bush

This breeding is carried out at the end of May or at the beginning of September, when the intense heat subsides. The old mother bush is dug up and divided with the tip of a shovel so that each part contains growing points and a root system. Then they are planted in prepared holes with the addition of nitrogen fertilizer and well watered. After all the manipulations, the soil around the seedling is compacted by hand and mulched with straw.

Carry out the entire procedure of dividing the bush quickly so that the fibrous root system of the plant does not dry out.

Homeland and where it grows now

The homeland is considered to be areas with a temperate climate. At the moment he can be found:

• In Siberia;
• In the Caucasus;
• In Asia;
• In Ukraine.

Prefers to grow on rocky surfaces and mountain slopes. Digitalis

Growing in the garden and in natural conditions

In the garden Bluebell of any variety receives more care than the wild variety, and therefore its flowers can be larger and brighter when grown in garden conditions. Also, the flowering time of the Garden Bluebell is one month longer.

History and cultural use

This plant began to be cultivated in gardening in the 16th century. At first, wild species were planted in the garden, but eventually, botanists developed plants that were more decorative than their wild relatives.

At the moment, it is planted very often, decorating various landscape compositions with it. Blooming bells look very cute, but this is not the only advantage of flowers. It looks very beautiful planted as part of the Moorish lawn.

The bell amazes with its large number of varieties with which you can decorate your garden. And at the same time, it requires absolutely no complicated care.