Edraianthus spp.

grassy bells

Campanulaceae Southern Europe and the Balkans

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Edraianthus spp. is a genus of about 20 species of low, tufted perennials in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, native to the mountains of southern Europe and the Balkans, with outliers in the Caucasus. Known as grassy bells, plants form dense cushions or rosettes of narrow, grass-like leaves 2-10 cm (0.8-4 in) long from a woody rootstock and taproot. In late spring and early summer, short stems carry tight terminal clusters of upward- or outward-facing bell-shaped flowers, each 1.5-3 cm (0.6-1.2 in) long, in shades of violet, blue-purple, and occasionally white. A ring of leafy bracts sits beneath each flower cluster. Some species, such as E. pumilio, bear single flowers on very short stems over tight cushions. The genus grows on rocky slopes, screes, and in mountain grassland, often on limestone, and needs sharp drainage and full sun. Plants are short-lived in heavy or wet soils. In gardens grassy bells are grown in rock gardens, troughs, and crevice plantings.

Native Range

Native to the mountains of southern Europe and the Balkan Peninsula, extending to Italy and the Caucasus. Plants grow on rocky slopes, limestone screes, and in subalpine grassland.

Suggested Uses

Grown in rock gardens, scree beds, troughs, and crevice gardens, and in the gaps of dry stone walls. Suited to alpine houses and gritty containers where drainage and winter dryness can be controlled.

How to Identify

Identified by low tufts or cushions of narrow, grass-like leaves and short stems topped with tight clusters of violet to blue bell-shaped flowers, each cluster backed by a ring of leafy bracts. The bracts beneath the flower heads separate it from the related Campanula spp. and Wahlenbergia spp.. Cushion species hold single bells close over the foliage.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 8"

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Bell-shaped violet to blue flowers open in late spring and early summer in tight terminal clusters. Bloom lasts two to four weeks, and bees work the flowers for nectar and pollen. Seed forms in small capsules that split to shed tiny seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

violet to blue

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

rocky sand loam chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years to flowering

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun in gritty, sharply drained soil of low fertility, with a mineral or gravel topdressing around the crown. Plants withstand drought once established but rot in wet, heavy ground, especially over winter. Most species are hardy to about USDA zone 5 with dry winter conditions. Cushions are short-lived and are renewed from seed or careful division. A collar of grit around the neck keeps moisture off the crown.

Pruning

Spent flower clusters are trimmed off after bloom to keep cushions neat and limit self-sowing where not wanted. No other pruning is needed. Old, woody, or rotted patches are cut out and the gaps replanted.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Perennials