Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Campanula pyramidalis L.

Frost hardy, short-lived erect perennial usually grown as a biennial with pyramidal racemes of fragrant light blue or white flowers from late spring to summer.  To 3m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Often brought inside in pots in summer and trained into a fan-shape to disguise the empty hearth.  ‘To ensure a good bloom of C. pyramidalis you must keep up a constant succession of young plants, those that have once flowered in pots being only fit for the border’.  [Gard. Chron. 1843].  A later correspondent adds: ‘I do not find they flower vigorously under 2 or 3 years, but at that age I have had plants 9 feet high and covered with blossom.’  [Gard. Chron 1844].  Grown in Britain since at least 1596.  [JD].  Don.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1843, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.43/1843].  Received per ‘Sovereign’ February 1831.  [MP A2948].  It may have been lost and subsequently obtained from James Backhouse as it was included among desiderata in a letter dated 10th April 1846 but not recorded as arrived.  [MP A2933-1, p.136].  Evidence for this is its omission from the 1845 catalogue, reappearing in 1850.

Notes

Campanula pyramidalis Gilib. (1782) = Campanula bononiensis L. [See Campanula persicifolia var. maxima Curt.].

Published Sep 28, 2009 - 04:16 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 10:47 AM

Family Campanulaceae
Category
Region of origin

Northern Italy and Balkans

Synonyms
Common Name

Steeple bells, Chimney bellflower

Name in the Camden Park Record

Campanula pyramidalis 

Confidence level high