Adenophora liliifolia aka Ladybells

Adenophora liliifolia belongs to the bellflower family, Campanulaceae. This perennial has soft stems and lives for years. People call it ladybells or lilyleaf ladybells. Its native range spans central Europe to Mongolia. It grows in woods and damp fields throughout that range. Gardeners grow it for blue blooms and its upright shape. It looks much like the campanulas, its close relatives.

Garden plants reach 1.5–2 feet (0.46–0.61 m) tall. They can spread about 2.5 feet (0.76 m). Stems branch and bear leaves above green leaf clumps. Leaves on the stems have toothed edges and pointed tips. Some are oval; others are narrow and shaped like lances. Deep, thick roots help settled plants live for decades. Runners spread at a slow pace. The roots can form colonies over time. Chicago Botanic Garden does not call this species invasive.

Loose racemes top the stems with nodding blooms. These are flower clusters along a main stalk. Each bloom has a flared, bell-shaped mouth and mild scent. The colors include pale blue, lilac, and lavender-blue. Sources and growing sites differ on when flowers bloom. Missouri Botanical Garden lists May bloom, in late spring. Chicago reports that flowers start in July. They last more than a month there. Its bloom listings cover May through August. The flowers draw butterflies and suit groups in garden borders. Plants also work as single specimens in beds.

Grow ladybells in full sun or part shade. It accepts average soil but likes rich, moist ground best. For good growth, soil drainage matters more than richness. Its listed water need is moderate, not high. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 3–9. Chicago gives a smaller range of zones 3–7. Choose a site where the plant can stay. Once plants take root, they dislike damage to their roots. Moving or dividing them can be hard. You can also grow new plants from seeds. Sow ripe seed in a cold frame, or sow in spring. Put young plants in their final sites before roots grow further.

Missouri Botanical Garden reports no major pests or diseases. It also lists resistance to rabbits. Wrong labels can cause mix-ups with weedy Campanula rapunculoides. That plant has flowers on just one side of its spike. PFAF lists cooked roots as edible and sweet. You can boil them or add them to soups. PFAF reports no known hazards. This does not mean the plant is safe for pets. It lists no known medicinal uses for this species.