Muralis (Campanula portenschlagiana): plant profile

Scientific classification

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Campanulaceae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Campanula

Species

portenschlagiana

Key information

Description

A vigorous, perennial ornamental herbaceous plant with a ground cover; it creates dense, dense leaf cover from which emerge profusions of blue-purple, bell-like flowers in spring, rich in pollen, which is welcome to useful insects such as bees and other pollinators, thus helping to preserve the biodiversity of the area.

It is ideal for decorating spaces such as flower beds and rock gardens, in homogeneous groups or in compositions with other ornamental species with the same vigorous growth; also suitable for pots or planters. Resistant, it tolerates cold winter temperatures well, preferring well-drained soil and full sun exposure.

Variety description

It is a very cold-hardy winter hardy perennial plant with a very striking, deep blue flowering in spring. Suitable for rock gardens.

Origin and history

Curiosities and special features

The term campanula derives from the typical shape of the flower resembling a small bell while the specific epithet was given in honour of the Austrian botanist Franz von Portenschlag-Leydermayer.

The wild species is naturalised in northern and central Italy where it can also grow wild.

Origin and distribution

It belongs to the genus Campanula, which is widespread in a wide geographic range, from the Mediterranean to the Caucasus as well as in Asia and Africa, and includes around 500 species, including C. portenschlagiana , which is native to south-eastern Europe, in particular Croatia (Dalmatia), Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, and is now widespread throughout Europe, where it also grows wild along rock faces and stone walls.

Main features

Flower size

The flower is small, clustered in an elegant inflorescence, creating dense, colourful carpet-like coverings.

Leaf

Leaf has an oval lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from late spring to late summer for 60 to 90 days, bringing colour and vibrancy to your green spaces throughout the summer.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbel bearing several flowers.

Leaf colour

Solid colours.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.2 m, making it suitable as a first-class plant in flowerbeds or borders in composition with other species.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen plant.

Where to plant

A plant prized for its long flowering period and resistance to low winter temperatures, it is an ideal choice for adding an accent of colour to flowerbeds, rock gardens Also suitable for planters.

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with plain petals. It is arranged in small umbel inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to late summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days. It is attractive to bees and bumblebees.

Growth

Globular-growing variety, ideal for creating dense and dense cover crops.

Plant habit

Growht habit, outlined by a dense mass of foliage from which a profusion of flowers emerges.

Branching

The abundant branching gives a high decorative value with dense Leaf and Flower.

Growing conditions

PH

The ideal pH of the Soil or medium is sub-acidic, between 5.8 and 6.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the bed, carry out light digging by removing any weeds and bulky stones, continue by burying organic matter and breaking up coarser clods with the help of a hoe. Finally, add professional-quality substrate on the surface to an average height of 5/10 cm and carefully level out by making the planting holes at a suitable density.

Sun exposure

It prefers, offering best Growth and abundant flowering, exposures in half-shade, shade.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 10 and 25 °C, however, it is resistant to low winter temperatures. To ensure better protection during the winter, it is recommended to cover it with mulch in the soil.

Use

Appreciated for its vigorous growth and showy flowering, it is widely used in
Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

A plant with medium to high hardiness, it tolerates cold winter climates well, even withstanding icy soils.

Soil

For gardens and flowerbeds, it offers the best growth results in a medium-textured, well-draining soil; for use in pots, a substrate for spring plants based on fibrous peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

Cultivation is extremely easy, adding value to the variety.

Growing tips

Some cultivation tricks to get the best performance in a flowerbed or pot:

Avoid over-watering Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for compact, colourful ornamental bedding compositions in combination with other ornamentals such as Dianthus, Erigeron karvinskianus, Gaillardia, Heuchera.

Care and plant health

Planting

An average density of 15 plants per square metre is recommended, as a suitable planting pattern in the flower bed is of primary importance to achieve proper vegetative development with a well-proportioned overall effect.

Propagation

It is propagated mainly by apical cutting.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from the aqueduct, either manually or with a sub-irrigation system. After transplanting take extra care of the seedling, which may be more exposed to water stress at the new planting site, by watering regularly. Afterwards always keep the soil or substrate moist while avoiding stagnation which can lead to root rot. It is advisable not to water plants in full bloom from above so as not to damage the flowers.

Fertilising

During the growing season, apply an organo-mineral fertiliser for ornamental plants directly to the soil in order to improve growth vigour and prolong flowering until the end of the summer period. It is possible to choose between liquid fertilisers, to be diluted in the irrigation water, or slow-release granular fertilisers.