Small bonny bellflower (Campanula divaricata) is a perennial flowering plant that is only found in the eastern United States, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. It blooms in late summer and produces small, blue flowers. The plant does well in dry, acidic soils and can be found growing on rocky outcrop.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Campanula divaricata, common name Appalachian bellflower, Small bonny bellflower, is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae. It is native to the eastern United States where it is found primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. Its habitat is areas of rock outcrops such as cliffs or summits, often on dry, acidic soil.
It is a perennial that produces small blue flowers in late summer.
II. How to Grow and Car
Small bonny bellflower thrives in well-draining soil with moderate moisture and prefers partial shade to full sunlight exposure. Special care includes protection from intense midday sun and ensuring soil remains consistently moist without waterlogging. Overwintering requires mulching to protect roots from freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates.
Sunlight
Small bonny bellflower thrives best in partial sun conditions where it receives moderate light without the harsh intensity of midday rays. It can, however, tolerate full sun exposure, which may accelerate growth but also risk stressing the plant if other conditions such as soil moisture are not optimal. The plant’s foliage may exhibit adaptability to intense light by slight color changes or leaf orientation to reduce exposure. Outdoors, small bonny bellflower should be placed in a location that enjoys morning light with some afternoon shade to protect it from potential scorch. Typically found outside, small bonny bellflower does not have specific indoor location requirements.
Temperature
Native to northern temperate regions, the small bonny bellflower is suited to USDA hardiness zones 4-8. The plant thrives in temperatures around 16 to 18 ℃, and some varieties will survive cold temperatures down to -10 ℃. Although they prefer a cool summer, the small bonny bellflower can survive in temperatures up to 26 ℃, as long as they are regularly watered. If the temperature exceeds this, then the flowers will die, and the plant may not bloom again that year.
The small bonny bellflower is a flowering plant that adds a whimsical feel to many gardens across the world. Depending on the climate, it will generally bloom from the beginning of summer through to the first frost. While they are reasonably easy to care for, you will need to regularly check that they have enough water in order to prevent the delicate flowers from wilting.
Watering
Thriving in its native moist woodland settings, small bonny bellflower has adapted to consistent moisture levels, favoring a stable environment with high humidity. This species exhibits a preference for regular hydration without being waterlogged, maintaining a balance that supports its growth. Accordingly, it benefits from watering every week. As an herbaceous perennial commonly grown outdoors, small bonny bellflower demonstrates resilience during the growing season by effectively utilizing water stored in its tissues to sustain periods of irregular rainfall.
Soil
The optimum soil for your small bonny bellflower is fertile soil with a pH of 6-8, meaning neutral to alkaline. The soil must not dry too quickly, but should still be well-draining. Because of this, soils such as loam, sand, or clay are perfect for this plant. The small bonny bellflower does not like warm weather, so apply a layer of mulch to the soil in the summer. This will help to keep the soil and the roots of your plant cool and moist. The nutrients from the mulch will also encourage better growth and blooming.
Fertilizing
For optimal growth and flowering, small bonny bellflower benefits from fertilizers with balanced nutrition. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the growing season. Halve the dose for delicate small bonny bellflower roots. In dormancy, reduce to bimonthly. Over-fertilization risks leaf burn; under-fertilization, lackluster blooms. Tailor applications to life stages: active growth demands more, post-bloom less. Water before fertilizing to avoid root damage, ensuring even nutrient absorption for vigorous small bonny bellflower.
Planting Instructions
While many people choose to plant their small bonny bellflower in the garden, it will also happily survive when planted in an outdoor container. They are best planted in the fall, to give them enough time to establish their roots for the spring. These plants like to spread out, so be sure to plant them with enough room to do so, for example, a foot apart. Leaving this amount of space will allow for adequate air circulation around your plant, which can prevent powdery mildew.
When planting your small bonny bellflower, make sure that the hole is twice the size of the root ball and is about 38 cm deep, so that the tops of the roots are level with the soil surface. Then, fill the soil in and firm the top layer before watering. A good tip is to loosen the surrounding soil before planting to allow the plant to settle quicker. While the small bonny bellflower is occasionally kept indoors as a house plant, this is not recommended as the lack of light and dry air can quickly damage the plant.
Pruning
The typical small bonny bellflower will usually grow up to 1 m and reach an ultimate spread of 1 m. They are perennial, which means that they will bloom once a year. Because of this, they do not necessarily need pruning, unless you are trying to maintain a certain shape. The small bonny bellflower can take up to 5 years to reach its ultimate height, which is another reason why you may not need to prune your plant for quite a few years.
If you choose to prune for shape and to encourage growth, you should do this at the end of spring, and definitely before the beginning of fall. While pruning, remove any shoots that appear weak or are growing in the wrong direction. This will encourage the plant’s energy to be diverted towards the other shoots instead. During the flowering season, some choose to remove wilted flowers, as this can prolong the flowering phase. This can be done by ‘plucking’ off the dead flowers. Deadheading flowers will also prevent this plant from self-seeding.
Propagation
Small bonny bellflower thrives with the right propagation approach tailored to its unique characteristics. The optimal method involves sowing, where seeds should be gently pressed into moist, well-draining soil and kept under conditions that mimic their natural habitat. Ensuring adequate sunlight and consistent moisture, while avoiding waterlogging, will encourage successful germination and growth. Careful attention to these practices will help gardeners cultivate this enchanting species and maintain its delicate charm.
Transplanting
The prime time to transplant small bonny bellflower is from the awakening of spring through its peak, ensuring robust growth. Select a spot with dappled light and well-draining soil. Amend the soil with organic matter to welcome small bonny bellflower to its new home.
