(Fairies' Thimbles)

The delicate, pendulous violet-blue flowers of fairy’s thimbles are exceptionally sweet. Native to the alpine regions of Europe, this hardy perennial is perfectly suited to areas with cool summers. The low mounded plants slowly spread by stolons, eventually forming mats, and become covered with small, bright green, coarsely toothed leaves. In summer, slender, dainty stems appear holding many pendulous, bell-shaped flowers of violet-blue. White-flowered cultivars are also available.

Fairy’s thimbles...

(Bavaria Blue Bellflower, Bellflower, Fairies' Thimbles)

‘Bavaria Blue’ is a selection of fairies' thimbles, a bellflower species native to alpine regions of Europe. This low-growing perennial forms rosettes of small, rounded, toothed, heart-shaped leaves which are topped with a flurry of small, nodding, thimble-shaped flowers of vivid sky blue. The dainty but prolific blossoms are held singly atop numerous, short, wiry stems, and bloom in late spring, continuing well into summer where temperatures are cool.

This diminutive mountain beauty requires...

(Bellflower, Blue Wonder Bellflower, Fairies' Thimbles)

Fairies' thimbles is a dainty, dwarf, creeping herbaceous perennial native to the mountains of Europe. Its cultivar 'Blue Wonder' bears fully double, pale lavender-blue flowers in summer above tidy mounds of ear-shaped leaves.

'Blue Wonder' prefers sun to part shade and loamy, well-drained soil. It makes an excellent rock garden or crevice plant.

(Elizabeth Oliver Bellflower, Fairies' Thimbles)

‘Elizabeth Oliver’ bellflower, also known as Fairies' Thimbles is a dainty dwarf creeping perennial found in the alpine regions of Europe. Green, tidy mounds of ear-shaped leaves sport double, drooping white flowers on wiry stems from midsummer to early fall.

These tiny bellflowers prefer sun to part shade and well-drained soil; they thrive in cool mountain summers. Create magic by planting fairies’ thimbles in alpine gardens or the crevices of rock walls. Or enjoy them close up in containers...

(Sage-leaved Bellflower)

With downy foliage, sage-leaved bellflower produces tall flower stems with pendent, bell-shaped purple flowers in late spring and summer. An herbaceous perennial that forms basl rosettes of leaves and slow spreads into a clumping colony via rhizomes (underground stems), it is native to the western Asia region of the Caucasus.

The basal cluster of downy, bright green leaves are heart-shaped or lance-like with scalloped edges. In late spring to summer, tall leaved stems rise from the foliage below...

(Adriatic Bellflower)

Lovely among rocks and displaying exquisitely colored flowers in early summer, the Adriatic bellflower also has pretty foliage. A spreading, low, mat-forming perennial, it is native to the highlands of southern Europe, Italy to the Black Sea.

This bellflower has two forms of medium green leaves. The basal leaves are small and kidney or heart-shaped with small teeth on their edges. Leaves that cling to the upright flower stems are heart-shaped. In early to midsummer, star-like, bright blue flowers...

(Adriatic Bellflower, Dickson's Gold Bellflower)

In early to midsummer, the star-like, sky-blue blossoms of ‘Dickson’s Gold’ bellflower create a sweep of cool color atop its bright, yellow-green foliage. The small, toothed, heart-shaped leaves form compact mounds, and hold their color best if given afternoon shade. Derived from an alpine species native to the highlands of southern Europe, the brilliant flowers of this diminutive beauty are attractive to bees and small butterflies.

Grow 'Dickson's Gold' in partial sun, providing afternoon...

(Clustered Bellflower, Dane's Blood)

Native to much of Eurasia and long cultivated in gardens, this vigorous, spreading perennial is grown for its impressive clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, purple, and blue. They appear from late spring into summer atop stout, erect stems set with broad hairy leaves. Some noteworthy cultivars include ‘Superba’, with deep purple flowers and dark green leaves, and the mauve-pink-flowered 'Caroline'.

Grow clustered bellflower in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in sun or partial...

(Caroline Clustered Bellflower, Clustered Bellflower, Dane's Blood)

Clustered bellflower is a vigorous, spreading perennial native to much of Europe and Asia. The cultivar 'Caroline' bears dense clusters of pale mauve-pink bell-flowers on stout upright stems from late spring into summer. The leaves are round and fuzzy.

Grow this medium-sized perennial in moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. Cut back the spent flower stems to encourage reblooming. It works well in the perennial border or cottage garden.

(Clustered Bellflower)

Native to much of Eurasia and long cultivated in gardens, this vigorous, spreading perennial is grown for its impressive clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, purple, and blue. They appear from late spring into summer atop stout, erect stems set with broad hairy leaves. Some noteworthy cultivars include ‘Superba’, with deep purple flowers and dark green leaves, and the mauve-pink-flowered 'Caroline'.

Grow clustered bellflower in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in sun or partial...