Campanula portenschlagiana, commonly known as Dalmatian bellflower or wall bellflower, is a plant that spreads and fills in spaces quickly as a ground cover. Its dense and mat-forming growth habit allows it to spread rapidly, creating a lush carpet of foliage and flowers.
One of the reasons why campanula is so effective at spreading is because it has rhizomes. Rhizomes are underground stems that grow horizontally and produce new shoots and roots. This allows the plant to send out runners and establish new plants in nearby areas, helping it to cover the ground more efficiently.
In my own experience with campanula, I have seen how it can quickly fill in empty spaces and create a beautiful carpet of green in a short amount of time. I had a small patch of soil next to a stone wall in my garden, and I decided to plant campanula there to add some color and interest. Within a couple of growing seasons, the campanula had spread and covered the entire area, creating a stunning display of purple flowers.
Campanula is also a prolific self-seeder. After the flowers have finished blooming, they produce seed pods that eventually burst, scattering the seeds around the area. These seeds can then germinate and grow into new plants, further contributing to the spread of campanula.
Aside from its ability to spread through rhizomes and self-seeding, campanula can also be divided and replanted to expand its coverage. This can be done by carefully digging up a mature clump of campanula and dividing it into smaller sections, each with its own set of roots. These divisions can then be replanted in new areas, allowing the campanula to spread and fill in more spaces.
To summarize, Campanula portenschlagiana is a highly effective spreading plant due to its rhizomatous growth habit, self-seeding capabilities, and the ability to be divided and replanted. Its rapid spread as a ground cover makes it a popular choice for filling in empty spaces and creating a lush and vibrant garden.
