Claypa, I have two kinds of clustered bellflowers. These are the ones in the large clump. They have larger flowers, spread more easily and bloom earlier.
Bellflowers for claypa
These are the other ones. They are growing in a lot less shade so that may be why the clump, flowers and leaves are smaller. They are still blooming although aren't at their peak.
Aren't they great? I really try to be careful with 'extra' plants in pots from nurseries or wherever, because I've gotten some really bad weeds that way, but I got lucky with these plants as a side plant in a pot from my neighbors. They're my favorite perennial (when they're blooming, anyway). I just wish I hadn't squashed it earlier this spring. :( So dumb... I need a couple stepping stones in there. If anybody else had stepped on them, they'd never hear the end of it!!!
In the first picture the flower pod reminds me of a Sweetgum ball. The second has longer flower clusters, I wonder if that's the 'Superba' c.v. or another one... some of the plantfile pics are all over the place, like everyone put their pictures in the species file before the others existed or something. There's one called 'Acaulis', which I guess would mean 'stem-less' but it's not clear to me whether it's the leaves or flowers with no stem. I see there's other colors too.
Last fall I spread seeds out all over another bed, but the only ones that took are where I buried a whole flower. I should try to gather the seeds more carefully this time and sow them in pots where I can keep an eye on them. Have you tried dividing any of these plants? I might try that this fall.
Thanks for posting the pictures, I'm glad to know what the heck these are!
link to the picture in the other thread:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/p.php?pid=3657682
I divide them all the time. The ones growing in shade have spread pretty nicely but they really don't self sow, they spread by their roots.
I've been growing them for probably 30 years and they do seem to prefer a fair amount of shade.
The smaller one is growing in too much sun. It's been in that bed for probably 8-9 years and has very slowly spread to a clump about 15 inches across. I don't know if there's any difference in them or if they are just smaller because they don't like where they are.
Are you coming to the fall swap? I'm going to try to be there and will be glad to bring you some.
My newer clump is shaded in the afternoon, maybe I'll move them all back there. And I can see it from the kitchen, which is nice.
I'd love to go to a swap, wherever and whenever, but I'm going to Maine for the first two weeks in September. It's a little cheaper then, and there's no bugs or tourists to speak of. So it doesn't look too likely right now, but I appreciate the offer, thanks
As long as it's getting afternoon shade, should be fine. Is it a well drained spot? They're pretty easy going about moisture - do well in dry or moist spots but don't like a real soggy spot.
As well-drained as I could make it. In fact it's on a hillside too - I suppose run-off and drainage are related. There's a different low spot out back where I'm trying to plant stuff that won't mind the occasional standing water after a rainstorm, but hopefully it will be another thirty years before we have another set of storms like last year.
Ahhh stepping stones...made that comment just this past weekend as I snapped a complete stem of one of my Oriental Lilies *sniffle, sniffle* and agree...had it been someone else....wouldn't have been a good scene. :)
Diane - silly, me never heard you say they needed shade...so sad, as I loved their color. I'm just not blessed with much shade - if any.
The one in the second picture is in full sun all day and in an extremely dry spot. I imagine if you just give them a little more moisture they would do okay in sun.
The ones in the top picture get quite a bit of morning sun but are shaded in the afternoon.
I hope this clarifies - they don't need to be in full shade all day but they do like some shade.
Those ones in the 2nd pic - are those the ones you shared with me at the swap? If so...and if they'll take full sun, I'll need to beg some off of you at some point. They were so pretty and I was so sad when they didn't thrive. :(
No, it's the ones in the first photo. That second clump is really small and I've never divided it. I think they're exactly the same plant, Chantell, just that the second one is staying smaller because it's in such a dry and sunny spot.
I'll be glad to bring you some more if I get to the swap. Don't be sad, there's plenty more where those came from. :>)
Swap? What swap....hmmm....going ISO now...