Bluebells are the ultimate summer flowers, but some species can also handle our winters. We introduce five hardy bluebells.
If one Bellflower (Campanula) is hardy or not depends largely on its origin. If you know where your bluebell species occurs naturally, you will also know what temperatures your bluebell can handle.
Bluebells come mainly from the northern hemisphere, where they can still be found high up in the Alps or the Caucasus. Other species come from warm regions of France or Italy. Depending on their origin, these species are more or less hardy. Therefore, always inquire which region the species of your choice comes from.
While the above-ground part of the plant often freezes to death in winter, the rhizome lies underground. In this storage organ, the plant collects a large part of the energy and nutrients that it needs to sprout again in spring.
5 hardy bluebell species
Many species of bluebells are relatively hardy. How low the temperatures are allowed to fall depends largely on the origin of the species. Native species like that
Peach-leaved bellflower (Campanula persicifolia) or the meadow bellflower (Campanula patula) have no problems with European winters. The Caucasus bellflower (Campanula raddeana), the ball of bellflower (Campanula glomerata) or the Alpine bellflower (Campanula alpina) are adapted to a harsh climate due to their homeland.
The one, for example, is a little less robust Mary Bellflower (Campanula medium). It comes from southern Europe, but this species can also tolerate freezing temperatures. However, it should be protected in cold winters. The situation is similar with the star bellflower (Campanula isophylla) the end. An overview of the main bluebell family You will find here.
Hibernate bluebells
Hardy and perennial species do not need winter protection and even sensitive bluebell species can often cope with sub-zero temperatures. Twigs of conifers, which are best placed over the plants in autumn, are suitable as protection. But don't forget to remove the branches in spring as soon as it gets warmer.
Many annual species are actually perennial, but not winter hardy in our latitudes. If you keep these plants in a tub or pot, you can easily overwinter them between 0 ° C and 10 ° C in the garage or basement. Annual specimens that have been planted out will unfortunately hardly survive the winter, but simply let the plants germinate, because in most cases they will germinate again in spring.
More information on the correct Care of bluebells see this article.