Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata): Vigorous Perennial with Dense Purple Clusters

Clustered bellflower, also called Dane's blood, is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial that bears dense, spherical clusters of deep purple, bell-shaped flowers atop sturdy stems in early summer. It spreads by rhizomes and can form large colonies.

Botanical Profile

• Family: Campanulaceae
• Genus: Campanula
• Species: glomerata
• Synonyms: C. aggregata, C. cephalantha, C. congesta, C. conglomerata, C. ortleppi

Features

Grows 18–30 inches tall. Basal leaves are ovate, toothed; stem leaves smaller. Flowers are ¾–1 inch, deep violet-blue, packed into tight, terminal heads (glomerules). Blooms late spring to early summer. Spreads by rhizomes.

Culture

Full sun to part shade. Moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8. Can be aggressive; divide every 2–3 years to control. Deadhead to prevent self-seeding.

Uses

Border, cottage garden, cut flower, naturalizing. Good for filling large spaces quickly.