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The dotted bell is a rather rare ornamental plant in nature. At the same time, numerous cultivated varieties are available to everyone; it is interesting to study their characteristics and requirements.
Description of the dotted bell
Pointed bell (lat. Campanula punctate) is a herbaceous perennial plant from the genus of the same name. The straight, cylindrical stem is slightly pubescent and branches in the upper part. The leaves are ovate and pointed, hairy, on reddish petioles, paler below and bright green above.
In nature, the perennial grows up to 50 cm in height, decorative varieties can reach 70 cm. The bushes are quite spreading, and can grow up to half a meter or more in width. The plant develops quite quickly and can produce numerous lateral underground shoots and go beyond the designated area.
The dotted bell rises only half a meter, but can grow very widely
Flowering begins in July and can last until the end of summer. The buds are large, up to 5 cm, drooping on long stalks, slightly pubescent. One wild perennial can have up to 10 flowers. Cultivated varieties produce up to 30 buds per bush. The shape of the dotted bells is goblet-shaped, elongated, slightly swollen in the middle, with the edges of the petals curving outward. The color can be white, blue, purple, pink and ink, depending on the specific variety. In August-September, the flowers are replaced by fruit capsules with seeds.
The buds of the dotted bell have an extension in the middle
The moderately winter-hardy plant can tolerate temperatures down to – 23-30 °C. Prefers sunny areas, although it also tolerates shade well. The splendor of flowering is determined precisely by the amount of light; in open places the bell blooms more abundantly. The decorative quality of the crop is affected by the level of soil moisture; the perennial does not develop well in marshy soil.
Under natural conditions, the dotted bell grows mainly in the Far East of Russia, as well as in Japan, Korea and northeast China. You can see it in larch and oak forests, in birch forests and on river banks. It is recommended to grow cultivated varieties in the middle zone, the Urals and Western Siberia. In colder regions, the plant can also develop successfully, but will require careful shelter.
The best varieties
Decorative varieties of dotted bells are distinguished by abundant flowering and a variety of colors. You can highlight the most popular and favorite varieties of gardeners.
Pink Red
The beautiful Pink Red bell rises up to 50 cm above the ground and blooms from June to August.The buds of the variety are dull pink, with bright purple dots visible in the core. The shape of the flowers is goblet-shaped, drooping, collected in panicle inflorescences.
Pink Red bell buds reach 7 cm in length
Garland
The dotted bell Garland from the Russian company Plasmas is a medium-sized perennial up to 40 cm in height. During the decorative period from June to August, the buds densely encircle the bush on all sides, hence the name. The flowers are white-pink in color and quite large - about 8 cm wide.
The garland prefers to grow in moderately shaded places with good moisture
Silver Bells
Silver Bells is a variety with a height of about 40 cm. The buds are large, glass-shaped, of a delicate milky pink color with purple dots. The decorative period begins in June and continues until the end of summer.
Silver Bells has developed roots and grows very well
Alba Nana
The dotted bell Alba Nana is a miniature variety, growing to only 20 cm. From June to August it bears creamy white flowers with pink dots arranged in wide stripes. Not only the buds of the plant look beautiful, but also the long red petioles and light green leaves.
Alba Nana is one of the most compact varieties of dotted bell
Ash Sensation
Purple Sensation is a medium-growing variety about 50 cm tall. The leaves of the perennial are dark green, glossy, the buds are purple in color and have a standard goblet shape. The plant blooms in June and can remain decorative until August.
Ash Sensation can be planted in the sun, the flowers are not subject to fading
Cherry Belz
Another beautiful dark-colored variety is Cherry Bells.In June and July it produces large cherry-red flowers with a decorative white border. The height of the bush rises to 60 cm, prefers illuminated and semi-shaded areas.
Cherry Belz is best planted in the southern regions; it winters comfortably at temperatures as low as -23 °C
Pantaloons
Bluebell Pantaloons is a beautiful variety with semi-double large flowers of a violet-pink hue. It begins to bloom in July and remains decorative until August; it rises in height by 60 cm, but can spread up to 90 cm.
The peculiarity of the Pantaloons bell is the expansion in the upper part of the goblet buds
Dionysus
Bluebell variety Dionys is a low perennial plant about 30-50 cm tall. In June and until the end of summer it bears large wine-colored buds up to 7 cm, blooms very profusely, the greenery is almost hidden under the flowers.
Dionysus dotted bell does well in the sun, but can also develop in the shade.
Hot Lips
The short variety Hot Lips rises an average of 30-50 cm. It blooms in June and July, producing pale purple, goblet-shaped buds, light on the outside and darker on the inside.
Hot Lips flowers are densely strewn with brownish “splashes”
Sarastro
Sarastro's dotted bell grows up to 60 cm above the ground and blooms from June to July. The buds of the variety are blue, goblet-shaped, with a noticeable expansion in the middle part. Grows best in shaded areas on fertile soils.
Sarastro's flowering can be extended a little if faded buds are trimmed in time
Application in design
The perennial plant is quite widely used in landscape design. It can be planted:
- in shady areas of the site;
The dotted bell develops well in moderate light
- as a tapeworm;
An overgrown dotted bell looks impressive in free space
- in flowering beds next to other plants;
The bell goes well with most low- and medium-growing perennials.
- as part of alpine slides and rockeries.
A low dotted bell enlivens the austere rocky landscape
Successful neighbors will be roses, phlox, sage, cornflower, lilies, lupins and other garden flowers. This unpretentious perennial meets the requirements of most plants.
Reproduction methods
Basically, 2 methods are used to propagate the dotted bell:
- seminal;
- dividing the bush.
Most often, the dotted bell is propagated by seeds.
Growing seeds is the most popular; the material sprouts easily and quickly. Division is used for adult perennials once every 3-4 years; it is with this frequency that the plant is recommended to be moved to a new location.
Planting and caring for the dotted bell
It is not difficult to plant a bell sprouted from seeds or an adult cutting into the ground in the garden. The main attention should be paid to choosing a location and preparing the soil.
Recommended timing
The dotted bell must be planted during the warm period. Germinated seedlings are usually transferred to the soil at the end of May, after return frosts. Delenki are rooted both in late spring and in autumn after the leaves have withered.
Site selection and soil preparation
It is best to plant the dotted bell in a lighted place or in slight shade. The soil should be moderately moist; the perennial can grow even near bodies of water, but it is important to ensure that the area is not swampy. The culture is growing quickly, so you need to make sure that there is enough free space around.
You need to plant the dotted bell freely, it will grow in breadth
The soil required is loose, with a pH level close to neutral. If the soil is too dense and acidic, it needs to be dug up and peat, humus and sand added to improve aeration and nutrition.
Landing algorithm
A few days before transferring the dotted bell into the ground, dig a shallow hole for it; it should be 2 times the size of the roots. A small layer of drainage is poured onto the bottom - sand, broken brick or crushed stone. Then the hole is filled to the middle with a soil mixture of sand, turf, peat and humus and complex minerals are added - phosphorus and potassium with a small amount of nitrogen:
- Immediately before planting, the selected point bell is carefully inspected and made sure that its roots are healthy and strong.
- The division or seedling can be soaked in water for a couple of hours.
- Then the plant is transferred to the prepared depression, trying not to crush the underground part, and covered with soil until the end.
After planting, the soil is lightly compacted, watered well and sprinkled with sand in a circle.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
In the spring and throughout the fall, the dotted bell has enough moisture from natural precipitation. It is recommended to water it only in the middle of summer in dry weather, during the period when it spends all its energy on flowering.
The dotted bell needs to be fed in the spring after the snow has melted; it will need nitrogen fertilizers to grow green mass. When the buds are forming, you can add phosphorus and potassium to the soil, and in October you can cover the crop with peat or humus before wintering.
Loosening and weeding
The dotted bellflower often suffers from dense soil and weeds. Therefore, once a month the soil is carefully loosened. During the process, the rake should not be pushed too far into the ground, as this can damage the roots of the perennial. Loosening and weeding improve the flowering of the crop and also prevent the development of fungi and pest larvae.
Trimming
The dotted bell is a plant prone to rapid and abundant growth. During the warm season, it is necessary to remove side shoots in a timely manner, otherwise the perennial may take over the entire designated area and go beyond its limits.
During flowering, you need to periodically remove dry buds, leaving only fresh ones.
Also, during the summer it is customary to trim off dried buds on the stems. This helps maintain the decorative appearance of the perennial and also stimulates the development of new flowers. With timely removal of wilted parts, the plant remains beautiful much longer.
Preparing for winter
The flowering of the dotted bell ends in September, and by mid-October it completely sheds its leaves. At this point, above-ground shoots must be cut flush with the ground; next year new stems will grow.
Before the onset of cold weather, the bell is covered with a dense layer of humus or compost about 10 cm; organic fertilizer increases the frost resistance of the crop and insulates the roots. You can put fallen leaves or dry branches on top, they will serve as additional shelter.
Transfer
It is recommended to replant the perennial once every 4-5 years. To do this, the bush is divided with a sharpened shovel, making sure that healthy roots and strong shoots remain on each part. Planting is carried out according to the standard algorithm at the end of spring, when the soil warms up, or in September, long before the first cold weather.
Diseases and pests
The dotted bell has strong immunity, but can suffer from fungi in rainy weather with a lack of sun. Most often it is affected by:
- neck and root rot;
Bell rot develops due to waterlogging
- rust;
Orange growths of rust are clearly visible on the green bellflower
If spots or traces of rot appear on the leaves and stems of the plant, you should immediately treat the bushes with fungicides - Fitosporin-M, Baktofit, Fundazol. Spraying is carried out 3 times at intervals of 2 weeks.
The most dangerous pests for the bellweed are:
- slobbering pennies;
Pennywort feeds on the leaves of the dotted bellflower and interferes with its development
- slugs
Slugs may eat the dotted bellflower in rainy summers
Homemade garlic and pepper infusions are good against pests with minor infestations. In advanced cases, you can use Aktara or Karbofos. To repel slugs in a flowerbed with bluebells, it is recommended to scatter straw; mollusks avoid rough and prickly surfaces.
Conclusion
The dotted bell is not often found in nature, but is represented by many decorative varieties. It is easy to grow it on the site if you choose the right place and do not over-water the perennial.
