Campanula glomerata Joan Elliot

Campanula glomerata Joan Elliott, also known as the Clustered Bellflower, Agglomerate Bellflower, Bouquet Bellflower, and sometimes Harebell, is an excellent variety of perennial Bellflower with large purple flowers. Its long flowering period will enchant you during the summer, both in the garden and at home as it is also a beautiful cut flower.

Native to Europe and temperate Asia and belonging to the Campanulaceae family, Campanula glomerata 'Joan Eliott' has large tubular bell-shaped flowers, grouped in almost spherical clusters called "glomerules" by botanists. These clusters are perched on stems adorned with deciduous, dark green, oval to lanceolate leaves. It has a bushy habit, forming a wide clump of approximately 40 cm (16in) in height and 70 cm (28in) in width at maturity.

Clustered Bellflower has long flowering from early summer, June to July, and again at the end of the season if you remove faded flowers. If you leave the stems you may benefit from self-seeding, if the location suits it.

Growing Bouquet Bellflower is easy as it is a rather undemanding and completely hardy plant, at least down to -15°C (5°F). It thrives in light, even chalky soil, as long as it remains moist, in full sun or partial shade.

In the garden, it will easily find a place in all kinds of flower beds, alongside old roses and Dame's Rocket for beautiful classic elegance, or with, Jerusalem Sage and a small collection of ornamental garlic in a more modern style.

It is also a very interesting flower for creating charming country bouquets.