Campanula trachelium aka Nettle Leaved Bellflower

Campanula trachelium is known as nettle-leaved bellflower or throatwort. It is a herbaceous perennial in the bellflower family. Its native range spans Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. This includes Britain and Ireland, with records extending to Iran. It grows in woods, rough grassland, and along hedge banks. It has also spread into parts of Canada and the United States. There, it grows in thickets and beside roads.

The plant forms upright clumps with a coarse, bushy outline. Garden plants reach about 2–3 feet [0.61–0.91 metres] tall. RHS gives an upper height of 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Clumps spread about 1–1.6 feet [0.30–0.50 metres] across. Growth is moderate, and the plant sheds its leaves seasonally. Stiff stems have four sharp edges and rough hairs. They are green, sometimes tinged red, and often lack branches. The green leaves feel rough and have deep teeth. Their lower sides are paler. Lower leaves have long stalks and heart, egg, or kidney shapes. Leaves higher on the stems are narrower and lack stalks.

Loose racemes carry flowers near the tops of leafy stems. The blooms hang down and form open, tube-like bells. Their shades range from blue-purple to lilac. Five joined petals end in pointed lobes with fine inner hairs. Flowers reach about 0.125 feet [0.038 metres] long. Most accounts place flowering between June or July and September. Chicago Botanic Garden also records blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bees. Small, round seed capsules follow the blooms. These hairy fruits hang down and open near their base.

Grow this plant in fertile soil that drains well. Keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season. It accepts sand, loam, clay, and a range of pH levels. Full sun suits gardens with cool summers. In hot summers, give it shade during the afternoon. Shade can also deepen flower colour. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 5–8; Chicago lists 4–9. RHS rates its cold hardiness H7.

Use groups in borders, cottage gardens, or wildflower plantings. It also suits woodland edges and areas left to naturalise. Deer resistance adds value in gardens where deer browse. Self-seeding can spread plants beyond their first planting spot. Remove old blooms to promote more flowers and limit seed. Care needs are low, though slugs, snails, and aphids may occur. Powdery mildew and rust can also cause trouble. People once used it for sore throats. The evidence does not establish edible uses or toxicity.