Creeping bellflower is an invasive plant that is classified as a noxious weed in most of the U.S. Learn how to identify and remove the plant.
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What Does Creeping Bellflower Look Like?
“I found these beautiful, shade-loving flowers (above) that tolerate dry conditions. Deer seem to avoid them. Can you tell me what they are?” asks Sherri Withrow of Castella, California.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “Anything that seems too good to be true often is, and unfortunately that’s the case here. These beauties are known as creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides). They are very aggressive and are listed as noxious weeds or invasive plants in most of the U.S. and Canada.”
According to the University of Wisconsin Extension, creeping bellflower plants have erect stems, purple near the ground, that stand 16 to 40 inches tall. Blueish-purple bell-shaped flowers bloom from late spring to fall.
The plants form dense clumps and can quickly take over, invading natural areas, lawns and flower gardens, and create a monoculture in the landscape.
Learn how to identify garlic mustard: a noxious invasive weed.
How to Remove Creeping Bellflower
These invasive plants spread by both seeds and rhizome growth, making control challenging. Bag up flowering plants and dispose of them or burn them to reduce seed spread.
Melinda says, “They spread rapidly in the garden and are very difficult to remove. I recommend you remove this plant as soon as possible. Dig up the plant and remove the long, slender underground rhizomes and roots that can be 6 to 9 inches deep. Any root fragments that remain can produce new plants. It often takes persistence and several years to eliminate this plant from a garden.”
Other Types of Bellflower Plants
Not every plant named “bellflower” is invasive or harmful for landscapes. The huge Campanula plant family offers perennial, annual and biennial blooms in many shapes and sizes. Most come in hues of pink, blue and violet.
Spotted Bellflower
Spotted bellflower (Campanula punctata, zones 4 to 8) grows up to 2 feet tall. Grow this plant in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. It’s a summer-blooming perennial that makes a great cut flower and is a welcome addition to perennial, container or woodland gardens.
Peach-leaved Bellflower
Peach-leaved bellflower (Campanula persicifolia, zones 3 to 8) features plump, bell-shaped blooms that burst through green foliage when summer hits. Deep blue to white flowers top off plants that grow up to 3 feet, making this perennial a
fantastic vertical accent.
Clustered Bellflower
Clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata, zones 4 to 8) grows best in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. It does grow quickly, so regular division helps keep it contained. Prune the plants back after flowering to encourage more compact growth. Extend the bloom time by removing faded flowers.
Serbian Bellflower
A perfect option for partial shade is Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana, zones 3 to 7), a low-growing ground cover with starry bluish purple flowers.
Next, learn how to tell the difference between invasive Dame’s rocket vs phlox.
About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Sources
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – “Creeping bellflower“
