Content
Portenschlag bell is a low-growing crop that grows in one area for more than six years. The bush form with creeping stems and abundant long-term flowering is used as a ground cover, hanging or border plant. Varieties are used in landscape design and ornamental gardening.
Description of the Portenschlag bell
Portenschlagiana bell (Campanula Portenschlagiana) is a perennial herbaceous plant with a limited habitat (endemic). In its natural habitat it is found only in the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula; the main accumulation is observed in mountainous areas, between rocks. The Portenschlag bell was first described by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century and named it in honor of the Austrian botanist Franz von Portenschlag-Ledermayer. The plant began to be grown as a design element in Europe, and from there it came to Russia.
Description of the Portenschlag bell (pictured):
An evergreen rock plant with a maximum height of 20 cm.Numerous creeping or raised stems create continuous thickets 50-60 cm wide. The structure is rigid, the surface in the lower part is bare, smooth, closer to the top there is a small sparse edge. The color of the stems of the Portenschlag bell is light purple or green with a yellow tint.
The leaves are arranged alternately. The color of the upper part of the plate is bright green, the lower part is pale, whitish. The shape is round, heart-shaped, with jagged edges, the central vein may be pubescent. At the bottom of the stem, on a petiole 12 cm long, there are plates with a diameter of 2.5-3 cm, which gradually decrease in size towards the top.
The inflorescences of the Portenschlag bell are formed on short peduncles at the crown of the stems
The flowers are funnel-shaped, up to 30 mm in diameter, cup length is 8-10 mm, divided into 5 lanceolate petals of purple and bright blue. The culture is self-pollinating. The stamens are beige, located on long white threads, the pistil has a yellow stigma, lilac.
The root system is superficial, well grown.
Until the end of August, there may be single flowers on the crop.
The plant is a light-loving plant, so in the shade its decorative effect is reduced due to weak budding. It blooms profusely only on fertile soil and does not respond well to high soil and air humidity.
The Portenschlag bell is characterized by intensive shoot formation; in the second season, inflorescences are formed on young and old stems; due to this feature, flowering is abundant, and the surface of the bush is completely painted blue.
The culture is stress-resistant and calmly reacts to the instability of spring weather. In winter, without shelter, it tolerates temperatures dropping to -27 0C. The plant is grown in gardens in the Moscow region, throughout the Central, Middle, and European zones. In the climatic conditions of Siberia and the Urals, it is recommended to cover the Portenschlag bell for the winter.
Optimal conditions for vegetation were noted in the regions of the North Caucasus
The best varieties
In ornamental gardening, frost-resistant perennial varieties of Portenschlag bell are used. A description of the popular and most popular varieties will help you choose a crop for planting in any region of Russia.
Clockwise
Clockwise is a low-growing variety. The stems do not grow more than 40 cm. The culture is used in design as a ground cover plant. The growing season of the Portenschlag Klockwise bell is fast; in the second year after planting, the plant covers up to 70 cm of territory with a continuous carpet. The evergreen perennial retains its decorative appearance throughout the year; by autumn the foliage darkens slightly, but does not fall off. In the spring, as shoots and new leaves form, last year's leaves gradually die off, and before flowering the crown is completely renewed.
The color of the flowers in a sunny area is bright purple, in the shade they are light blue and the flowering is not very abundant. The variety grows well in any soil. This is one of the frost-resistant representatives. The Portenschlag Klokwise bell is suitable for growing at home as an hanging crop, for decorating verandas, balconies, and apartment interiors.
Portenschlag bell is recommended for growing in open ground without covering the crown for the winter only in the fourth climatic zone
Blue gnome
The crop received its varietal name due to its low growth. A dwarf variety of the Portenschlag blue bell, the Blue Dwarf, grows up to 15-20 cm. The crown is dense, cushion-shaped, with intense stem formation and abundant flowering. The leaves are lanceolate, elongated, narrow, dark green. The Blue Dwarf variety is used to decorate alpine slides and rock gardens. The culture blooms from July to August with small bright blue flowers.
Grown in flower pots and in open areas; in the latter case, the plant requires shelter for the winter.
Application in design
Portenschlag's bell is used in any mixed or group plantings. Used as a ground cover plant, varieties with brightly colored flowers are ideally combined: with low-growing conifers, with dwarf ornamental and flowering species that do not exceed them in height.
Portenschlag's bell is a light-loving plant that cannot be planted in the shade of large trees and next to crops growing on alkaline soil. It is not recommended to combine next to junipers, as they become a common cause of the appearance of rust on the leaves of the bell.
Application of the Portenschlag bell in design:
- Linear planting near a building.
Creating a narrow ridge in an empty space near the building wall and path
- Design of rock gardens and rockeries.
Portenschlag's bell - a rock plant that blends organically with natural stone
- Growing in pots for indoor and outdoor design.
- Creation of mixborders with flowering crops.
- Color accent of the inside of a round flower bed.
An ephedra planted in the center gives the design a complete look and harmoniously combines with the blue bell flowers
Reproduction methods
Portenschlag bellflower is propagated vegetatively. In spring, cuttings are taken from the lower part of annual shoots. They are placed in a container and planted in the ground the next season. This propagation method is the most popular because of its productivity; the material takes root well and then takes root on the site.
The plant can be propagated by division. Bushes that are at least 5 years old are suitable for this purpose. The varieties provide valuable material suitable for generative propagation.
In February, seeds are sown for seedlings, after the formation of the first leaves they are planted, and planted at the beginning of the season.
Planting and caring for the Portenschlag bell
The crop can grow on poor soils, but loses its decorative effect, gives insignificant growth and does not bloom fully. The culture requires aerated soil with minimal moisture and a neutral reaction. Further care of the Portenschlag bell will be much easier if you follow the biological needs of the plant.
Recommended timing
Planting work can be carried out at the beginning of the season, when the temperature does not drop below +10 0C. Each climate zone will have its own time; in the central zone it will be the beginning of May. Autumn planting is not practiced in Siberia, because an immature plant will not survive the winter. In other regions, they calculate the time so that there are 1.5 months left before frost.
Site selection and soil preparation
The place for the Portenschlag bell is allocated in an open area; periodic shading is allowed, but with the condition that there will be at least nine hours of daylight. Bluebells are not cultivated near tall crops that create shade.
Before placing the Portenschlag bell on the site, dig up the designated area, remove the weeds along with the roots and water the soil with a hot solution of manganese.
Landing algorithm
The root of the seedling must be freed from the earthen coma and dipped in a growth-stimulating preparation.
Then they let it sit in the antifungal agent.
Planting is carried out using the following technology:
- Make a nutritional mixture from turf soil and compost, add sand.
- The hole is dug in accordance with the size of the root so that the upper vegetative buds are deepened by no more than 1.5 cm.
- Pour part of the prepared substrate into the hole, set a bell, and cover with the remaining mixture.
- Compact and water.
The plant is mulched; peat is not used as a material, since it increases acidity.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Portenschlag's bluebell needs seasonal rainfall. If the summer is dry, water the plant at the root. The frequency is determined by the condition of the top layer of soil; it should dry out well. The plant reacts poorly to high air humidity, so sprinkling is not used.
Feeding is a prerequisite for caring for the Portenschlag bell. At the beginning of tillering, they are fed with nitrophoska or any nitrogen-containing product. When the bulk of the buds begin to bloom, potassium sulfate is added. After flowering, fertilize with superphosphate.In July you can add liquid organic matter.
Loosening and weeding
If the root circle of the Portenschlag bell is covered with mulch, loosening is not relevant, the material does not allow a crust to form. And holding an event for a low-growing crop with creeping stems is problematic.
If there is no mulch, loosen the soil as needed. Removing weeds is mandatory; in frequent cases, they become the cause of the spread of pests on the Portenschlag bell.
Trimming
Pruning for the Portenschlag bell is of a sanitary nature. In the spring, shoots that have frozen over the winter are removed. Remove dry stems. If, after the formation of new foliage, the old foliage does not fall off, it is cut off. After flowering, cut off the inflorescences. Crown formation is not carried out for this species.
Preparing for winter
Preparatory work begins at the moment when the temperature approaches zero. By this time, the inflorescences will be removed; the stems of dwarf varieties are not cut off for the winter.
Preparing the Portenschlag bell for winter involves following the following recommendations:
- Remove the old layer of mulch.
- Place compost under the bush.
- Water generously.
- Cover the root with straw or wood shavings; you can use dry leaves.
If severe frosts are observed in the region, the crown is covered with any material and covered with snow.
Diseases and pests
The main infections that appear on the Portenschlag bell are:
- rust;
- powdery mildew;
- Root collar or root rot.
To prevent infections in the spring, Portenschlag bell is treated against fungus. To prevent root rot, adjust watering and spray with copper sulfate at the beginning of the growing season and after flowering.If you notice the development of a fungal disease, use Topaz.
The product can be used for preventive purposes at the beginning of the season and before the buds open.
Of the pests on the Portenschlag bell, aphids and slobbering pennies parasitize. They get rid of them with Iskra.
Make the solution according to the instructions, consumption – 1 l/1 m2
In wet weather, slugs may appear on Portenschlag's bell. Metaldehyde is effective against them.
At the end of May, granules are scattered near all bells and nearby plants
Conclusion
Portenschlag bellflower is a low-growing crop with creeping stems. The plant is frost-resistant, evergreen, with abundant long-lasting flowering. Varieties are often used to decorate rockeries, rock gardens, compositions of conifers and natural stone. The rock plant overwinters well and grows quickly.
