Campanula thyrsoides

Campanula thyrsoides is a monocarpic species that is well worth cultivating for the flower dome that is clothed in individual creamy white flowers. From a distance the spike looks yellow. Within the individual flowers are thin anthers in the cupped base. The stigma pushes the green styles out of the fused petals which are pointed with six tips.

Sow seed annually to keep a succession of plants growing as this has a biennial life cycle. In year one the vegetative work is undertaken. A rosette of foliage develops to bear the flower spike which appears in the second growing season extending to 350mm and c.200mm in diameter to resemble a retro light bulb and disseminating a delicate scent.

Campanula thyrsoides

The leaves are mid green, covered in hairs, long pointed shape and nestle close to the ground during the first year as growth commences in the second year with the development of the flower spike leaves are taken up from the ground hugging rosette and appear to twist and curl at the ends.

Native to the Alps of Central and Southern Europe it can be seen at the very east end of the alpine wall growing in a free draining root zone.