Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety', also known as Milky Bellflower, is a beautiful hardy perennial producing generous clusters of soft violet-blue, star-shaped flowers on tall, branching stems. Flowering throughout summer, its airy blooms create a wonderful cloud of colour above fresh green foliage.
 
Perfect for cottage gardens, mixed borders and naturalistic planting, this elegant perennial adds height and movement without looking heavy. The nectar-rich flowers are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators, while the long flowering stems are also lovely for cutting.
 
When to Sow: Sep–Dec
 
HOW TO SOW: Sow seeds thinly onto moist, free-draining seed compost and cover lightly with fine grit to approximately their own depth. Place trays in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, keeping the compost consistently moist. Seeds require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy, making autumn and early winter the ideal time to sow. Germination will usually occur naturally as temperatures rise in spring. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into individual pots and grow on before planting outdoors.
 
Classification: Hardy herbaceous perennial
Expert Level: Some experience required
Germination Time: Variable, following winter chilling
Flowering Time: Jul–Sep
Site: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Soil Acidity: Neutral to alkaline
Moisture: Prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil
 
Care: Water during prolonged dry periods and support tall stems in exposed positions. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and cut back spent stems after flowering. Divide established clumps every few years to maintain vigour
Use: Cottage gardens, mixed borders,  Cut Flowers
Harvesting: Cut stems when the first flowers in each cluster have opened, allowing the remaining buds to develop in the vase
 
Days to Maturity: Usually flowers in its second growing season
Vase Life: 5–7 days
Height: 90–120cm
Plant Spacing: 45–60cm