9 for borders and cutting

Campanula ‘Sarastro’

A bushy, medium-height hybrid appearing through July and August. Tolerant of part-shade or sun, it needs moist, fertile soil. Good to grow in a mixed border, it contrasts well with Geranium phaeum ‘Album’ or grow in clumps alongside shrub roses. HxS: 24x18in (60x45cm).

Campanula ‘Viking’

This is a compact and not an enthusiastic spreader, but good for planting in drifts through borders and container displays. Produces loads of purple flowers on upright stems. It will flower in early summer, but you can encourage a second flush by cutting back its first blooms. HxS:18x24in (45x60cm).

Campanula carpatica AGM

This spreading species is a reliable performer in the right dry, well-drained and sunny spot, flowering from July until the end of August. Great as ground cover at the front of a border, it will nestle happily next to Erigeron karvinskianus. HxS: 10x18in (25x45cm).

Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’ AGM

A stunning plant to take displays from early spring right through the summer. Great for loose wildflower planting schemes or semi-woodland areas. Spreading via rhizomes, the carpet of foliage makes good ground cover, too. Plant in well drained soil in a sunny spot. H&S:36in (90cm).

Campanula glomerata ‘Caroline’ AGM

This campanula has densely packed clusters of lavender flowers of medium height. Flowering early in the season, this is a spreader, and will naturalise in the right conditions of sun or semishade and moist, but well-drained soil. It is also easy to grow, HxS:24x36in (60x90cm).

Campanula portenschlagiana AGM

A popular variety that finds a home in the smallest of crevices. Will grow in most dry, stony areas with poor soil like rockeries, or as edging for pathways. It’s easy to grow, and is covered in lavender-purple flowers through the summer. HxS: 12x36in (30x90cm).

Campanula ‘Paul Furse’

With a good spreading habit, this is great for naturalising in more wilder planting schemes. Flowers appear from July to September, and stems are sturdy and look good combined with upright foxgloves. It’s better in part shade but will tolerate most soils apart from acid and will happily self-seed. H&S: 24in (60cm).

Campanula pyramidalis

This is a short-lived perennial or biennial. The tall stems carry loads of flowers from May to August, making a striking display and are great as cut flowers. Good for sun or semi-shade, try for a double campanula display with some of the lowgrowing types spilling over the edge of a container. HxS:78x24in (2mx60cm).

Campanula poscharskyana

A favourite of Sarah Raven, who uses it to fill gaps in walls, this is drought tolerant. It also works well in pots, on steep banks and as path edging and thrives in full sun. Flowers appear in early summer and it spreads so it can also work in containers. HxS:6x24in (15x60cm).