Campanula rotundifolia, Harebell


Harebell in a savanna setting at Whitewater State Park, MN

Harebell is a wispy bellflower that defies its delicate appearance. Although its wild North American distribution is befuddling, in Minnesota it grows almost everywhere but the hot, dry prairies to the south, and just north, of the Minnesota River. 

Given how often it grows in sand, cliff and bluff habitat, we can be assured Harebell prefers well-draining soils. Its common proximity to lake shore and forest tells us Harebell does better under cooler, somewhat humid conditions. With that in mind, I would plant Harebell in well-draining sandy or gravelly soils with morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sun mid-day. Avoid hot, open sites, over-wet sites in favor of rock walls and slopes, woodland edges and savanna conditions.

Blooms: blue-purple, June into July, further with dead-heading

Height: 10 to 20 inches

Conditions: sun to pt shade, medium to dry soils, well-draining