Campanula pyramidalis [kam-PAN-yoo-luh, peer-uh-mid-AH-liss] are easy to grow plants in shaded areas producing flower spikes reaching up to 4’ feet tall.
The campanula plant genus means “little bell” while pyramidalis means “pyramid-shaped,” describing the distinct clumps of flowers.
Commonly called chimney bellflower, the plant is native to southeastern Europe and belongs to the Campanulaceae “bellflower” family.
Campanula pyramidalis is a biennial, producing flowers the year after sowing from seed before withering.
While it’s a short-lived plant, the chimney bellflower adds dimension and bright colors to balconies and patios.
The bellflower is easy to grow but requires a couple of special steps to ensure optimal health.
Campanula Pyramidalis Care
Size and Growth
The chimney bellflower is a type of clumping plant with a base of heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are typically a rich green color.
The base of the plant doesn’t get very tall. Most of the growth comes from the flower spikes appearing later in the season.
Flowering and Fragrance
The plant blooms in the summer, a year after sowing the seeds. As summer approaches, the campanula pyramidalis begins producing several tall flower stalks.
The flowers are bell-shaped, resembling the Canterbury Bells. They are often white or pale blue and measure 1” – 1.5” inches.
The spikes of flowers form a clump, growing from the base and creating a pyramid shape almost resembling an upside-down hanging plant.
The flowers don’t produce a noticeable fragrance. The spikes may reach up to 4’ feet tall.
Without protection from wind, the spikes are easily damaged.
Plant the chimney bellflower near a tall structure such as the side of a house or shed or use stakes for support.
Light and Temperature
Campanula pyramidalis grows best outdoors under the brightest light possible.
Place on a sunny patio or balcony.
The chimney bellflower survives winters outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10.
Remember this is a biennial, flowering during the second year.
If temperatures regularly drop below freezing, overwinter the plant indoors.
Bring the plant back outdoors in late winter or early spring after the threat of frost has passed.
Watering and Feeding
Water the plant regularly, ensuring the chimney bellflower never dries out during the flowering season.
If the bellflower is in a container, check it frequently as container plants tend to dry out more quickly.
This is especially true during hot, dry weather.
Add liquid fertilizer to the water every two weeks during the summer of the second year.
Soil and Transplanting
Transplant seedlings into separate pots filled with standard potting soil.
Before flowering, transplant the chimney bellflower to its final home.
The plants shouldn’t need transplanting after the move as they start to die out after the second year.
Grooming
Campanula pyramidalis doesn’t require frequent grooming, but the flower spikes may eventually need support.
If the stems start to bend or break, use stakes to support the flower spikes.
Throughout the flowering season, remove deadheads to encourage new growth and fuller blooms.
How to Propagate Chimney Bell Fflower
Propagate the chimney bellflower using seeds.
Either collect the seeds from the flowers at the end of the season or purchase packets.
Purchased seeds tend to provide more satisfactory results while collected seeds may not always produce attractive specimens.
- Sow the seeds at the end of summer using a seed starter tray.
- Use standard potting soil.
- Cover the starter tray with plastic and germinate at room temperature.
- Lift the plastic to ventilate the tray every day.
- After the seedlings are hardy enough to handle, separate them into individual pots using regular potting soil.
In regions with mild winters, move the pots outdoors on a patio or balcony.
In cooler regions, overwinter the plant in a cool room.
At the start of spring, move the plants to their final home.
After flowering, collect the seeds again to repeat the process or allow the plants to die out.
Chimney Campanula Pests or Disease Problems
Campanula pyramidalis isn’t toxic or invasive but may suffer from occasional problems, including pests and preventable diseases.
A common issue is the appearance of irregularly shaped brown patches on the leaves.
The blotches are a leaf spot, often caused by overwatering or excessive humidity.
Remove the affected leaves and treat the rest of the plant with a fungicide.
If the delicate stems and leaves appear damaged or partially eaten, garden slugs or snails may have attacked the plant.
Remove the slugs or snails by hand.
Using snail bait or slug pellets adds toxins to the plant, making it potentially toxic if eaten by children or pets.
Suggested Uses For Pyramidalis
Every other year, the chimney bellflower brings color throughout the summer.
Use it to brighten and add height to any balcony, terrace, or patio.
Growing several varieties of the plant together in the same container can provide a wall of rainbow colors ranging from white to lilac-blue.