Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tall Bellflower (Campanula americana)

A lover of shade and moist soils along woodland edges, this tall beauty possesses blossoms that radiate the sweetest shade of summer blue--always a welcome sight in the heat of summer...

With the name Tall Bellflower (Campanula americana), you would expect the flowers of this plant to be either tubular or bell shaped. Instead, they are regular star-shaped flowers that grow up and down long spiky stems. Reaching heights of three to six feet, the plant has an airiness to it and sways gently in any breeze. Long, lance-like leaves enhance its airy feel.

The curved style on Tall Bellflower blossoms is characteristic and is often compared to an elephant's trunk!

Tall Bellflower can be found along the Little Miami River in the shadows and edges along the bike trail. I saw this plant at the end of July on a very steamy and hot day.

16 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

beautiful! very dainty!

Montanagirl said...

It's so beautiful and graceful looking. Love the color.

Lois Evensen said...

Lovely. :) Love the color.

Bob Bushell said...

Superb photos.

Timaree said...

Very pretty and delicate for a flower that grows so tall! Nice photo with that more solid green background. It really makes the flower stand out.

Chris said...

Hi Kelly,
Wow this blue is so intense and beautiful. These are great flowers!

Carol Mattingly said...

So beautiful Kelly. Love the first one especially. Carol

Penny said...

What a beautiful flower.

Roy said...

So beautiful Kelly.

Elaine said...

Gorgeous photo and wonderful description!

Tammie Lee said...

absolutely magical, such a beauty and new to me.

Mary Ann Gieszelmann said...

Maybe the name comes from the long ovary tube (style? stigma?) sticking out. You could say it looks like the clapper on a bell.

Kelly said...

...thanks, everyone. The blue of this flower is so beautiful and refreshing. When the heat of summer is on, blue is such cooling color psychologically! ....or maybe it's just because I always see this flower when I'm in the shade.

Mary Ann...you might be on to something there! It does look like the clapper on a bell...

GadgetSponge.com said...

Absolutely beautiful blue tones. I can't decide whether I like the color of the bloom or the shriveled ones.

Guy said...

Wow Kelly

Your shots of the Bellflower are absolutely stunning. I love the delicate colours.

Guy

Unknown said...

I have one that grew up in my side yard this year. I live in Indiana.