Campanula 'Clips Blue' is growing at the front of my home, planted in the border that holds the row of golden-yellow Arthur Bell roses. I'd grown the row of Arthur Bell roses a year or two before it occurred to me that I really should grow something else along with them. I decided on white and blue, low-growing plants that would not be too demanding of the soil and compete with the roses. I planted those plants, mostly alpines, a short while ago and they have taken quite readily to their west-facing positions.
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| Hoverfly on a Campanula 'Clips Blue' flower |
The border in which this plant is growing is narrow and sloping. The soil was initially quite impoverished but every year I add to it compost that has been used in pots and is no longer required, and I feed the soil with Top Rose. Already the plants, which I hope will spread and cover the soil, have more than doubled their size.
The labels says about Campanula 'Clips Blue' that it is a compact clump-forming perennial producing branching stems of lavender-blue bell-shaped flowers in abundance. It is suitable for rockeries, borders, walls, banks, paving, gravel gardens, containers and pots. It flowers mid to late summer and achieves a high of 20cm (8in) and spread of 30cm (12in). It enjoys full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil.
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| Campanula 'Clips Blue' |
I admit that I sometimes forget to dead-head plants that produce flowers so prolifically; especially when they are not in my back garden where I see them more regularly. I've just done that job, nipping off the developing seed heads with my fingers, and with luck I will continue to get dozens and dozens of these vibrant coloured flowers for some time to come.