Harebell - Campanula rotundifolia

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Harebell - Campanula rotundifolia
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

The harebell, sometimes called the bluebell in Scotland, is an adaptable plant found throughout England in a variety of habitats including short grassland, heaths, dunes and cliffs It can tolerate most conditions except wet ones. The flowers are delicate blue nodding bells which hang from the stems right through the summer. It is a creeping perennial with small heart-shaped leaves at the base of the plant and narrow leaves on the upright flower stems.

The harebell is suitable for growing in rockeries, dry stone walls, coastal gardens, and for naturalising in a lawn or for the front of a flower border. It prefers a well-drained soil with some moisture.

Interesting local names include witches' thimbles, fairy bells and old man's bells where the old man is the Devil. It is not clear why this plant has these magical associations.

Animals

Buff-tailed bumble bee, Common carder bumble bee, Honey bee, Red mason bee, Red-tailed bumble bee, White-tailed bumble bee, Wool-carder bee

Foliage	Green
Flower	Blue, July to September
Moisture	(Dry)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native