Campanula 'Blue Magic'®

Campanula 'Blue Magic'®: Inky Blue Bells Spilling Over the Wall

'Blue Magic' pulls a rabbit out of a hat, then the rabbit wanders off because it has no interest in eating it. Low, dense mats smothered in deep blue bells all summer. ABRACADABRA, GROUNDCOVER.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Campanula portenschlagiana 'Blue Magic'®
• Common Name: Dalmatian Bellflower
• Height: 10–20 cm (4–8 in)
• Spread: 45–75 cm (18–30 in)
• Flowers: Masses of small, deep blue bells
• Bloom Time: Early summer to late summer (June to September)
• Foliage: Small, rounded, deep green leaves forming a dense, low mat
• Features: Spreading groundcover habit, usually ignored by rabbits

Where to Plant: It belongs in rock gardens, wall crevices, the front edge of a border, and containers where it can spill over the rim. It also makes a neat, flowering groundcover. It's vigorous, so keep it away from tiny, delicate neighbours it might smother.

Companion Plants: Let 'Blue Magic'® spill over the front of a moist, part-shade bed with early and late flowers behind. Helleborus HGC® Frosty opens creamy white flowers at 20 to 30 cm from March to May. Heuchera FYRE WING™ 'Amber' adds amber foliage at 28 cm with white bells in May and June. Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii' rises behind at 120 to 150 cm with deep violet-blue hoods from August to October. Molinia 'Moorhexe' grows to 60 to 90 cm in flower with fine dark green blades.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun to part sun, in well-drained, average to fairly dry soil. It dislikes sitting wet over winter, so improve heavy clay with grit or give it a raised spot or a wall pocket. Water regularly until it settles in. After the main flush of flowers, shear the plant back lightly to keep it compact and encourage more blooms. Divide in spring or early fall every few years if the centre of the mat starts to thin out.

History: Campanula portenschlagiana comes from the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, where it grows on limestone cliffs, rocks and old walls. 'Blue Magic'® is offered by Jelitto, the German perennial seed specialist, as a selection with especially intense dark blue flowers.

Final Thoughts: Tuck it between pavers or along a wall and let it spread its spell. NO WAND REQUIRED.