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.
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16 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlAugust 30, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    beautiful! very dainty!

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  2. MontanagirlAugust 30, 2011 at 10:25 AM

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

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  3. Lois EvensenAugust 30, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Lovely. :) Love the color.

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  4. Bob BushellAugust 30, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Superb photos.

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  5. TimareeAugust 30, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    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.

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  6. ChrisAugust 30, 2011 at 11:24 AM

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

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  7. Carol MattinglyAugust 30, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    So beautiful Kelly. Love the first one especially. Carol

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  8. PennyAugust 30, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    What a beautiful flower.

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  9. RoyAugust 30, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    So beautiful Kelly.

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  10. ElaineAugust 31, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    Gorgeous photo and wonderful description!

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  11. Tammie LeeAugust 31, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    absolutely magical, such a beauty and new to me.

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  12. Mary Ann GieszelmannAugust 31, 2011 at 5:06 PM

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

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  13. KellyAugust 31, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    ...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...

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  14. GadgetSponge.comAugust 31, 2011 at 10:35 PM

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

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  15. GuySeptember 1, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Wow Kelly

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

    Guy

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  16. UnknownJuly 27, 2014 at 10:48 AM

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

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