Campanula divaricata aka Appalachian Bellflower

Campanula divaricata is a wildflower that lives for years. It belongs to the bellflower family, Campanulaceae. Its names include Appalachian bellflower and southern harebell. Its home range starts in West Virginia. It extends into the southeastern United States. Most plants grow in the Appalachian Mountains. Fewer records come from the Piedmont. Wild plants grow on cliffs and bare rock outcrops. They also grow on mountain tops. In North Carolina, most grow in mountains and foothills.

This plant forms clumps of many thin, green stems. The stems branch a lot and stand upright or arch. Their smooth, weak branches tend to droop. The green leaves are simple, with one blade each. They grow in turn along the stems, not in pairs. Some are oval; others are lance-shaped or narrow and linear. The rough leaves have sharp teeth on their edges. Some have short stalks; others join straight to the stem. The slim upper leaves narrow at their bases.

Loose groups of flowers, called panicles, bloom from August through September. Many small bells hang down from the branched stems. Their pale blue-violet hue stands out against the green leaves. Each flower has five petals whose tips curl back. A long style sticks out past the flower’s mouth. A green, cup-shaped calyx sits behind the petals. Each bloom measures about one-third to one-half inch long. Small green to tan seed cases, called capsules, follow. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms. The plant also supports the plasterer bee, Colletes brevicornis.

Grow this bellflower in full sun or part shade. Dappled light suits it too. It likes dry, rocky ground that drains well. It grows best in acid soil but accepts neutral soil. Listed soils include clay, loam, sand, and shallow rocky ground. Once plants take root, they can cope with drought. Open woods and slopes suit their needs. Its listed range spans USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9. Use it on rock walls, banks, or in woods. Groups add blooms to native gardens and gardens for pollinators. Growers can raise new plants from seed. Plants may be hard to find for sale.

The sources report no major pest or disease problems. Aphids, spider mites, slugs, and snails may cause harm. Powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot may occur too. The supplied sources give no food uses. They give no guidance on toxicity either.