This is the second year I've had blooms on my Campanula persicifolia "Chettle Charm", and both years the blooms have flopped over. Is this typical with these flowers? Are they supposed to be staked? Or is there something wrong with mine. Mine face south and receive mostly sun. According to Bluestone's catalog they can thrive in part sun, part shade, so I don't know if lack of sun is an issue.
Perhaps the soil is too rich for them? Or if you are fertilizing it could be too much? I have same varieties of plants in different areas and ones that are suited to leaner soils will flop if growing in an amended area.
Thanks for the response, Meredith. That's very interesting. In my case, if anything, it would probably be lack of fertilizer and depleted soil. I'm really a lazy gardener, so when I first planted them all I did was stick them in the ground, and hope the best. :-)
I've noticed that plants frequently lean away from the building foundations they are planted up against. Why, I don't know, but just an observation.
I have to agree with that - mine do too.
That's a real interesting observation. That might be what's going on with mine. Looks like I may have to move them.
Mine are planted in a corner garden area with other perennials. Some of them flop over as well, or lean against the fence. They do grow quite tall, so I do stake mine.
I had the same problem; mine looked just like shebs, except for one. I put one of those round hoop supports over it before it grew, the one with the wires going across the hoop. That plant survied even the rain; but the others were lying down as soon as they bloomed. I kicked myself for not remembering to buy more supports. My campanula Telham Beauty does the same thing.
I've seen those hoop supports and wondered if they would help my problem. I think I'll buy some for next year.
Hasn't Chicago been getting lots of rain? Heavy rain and wind can do that, too.
Karen
Yes, we have been getting a lot of rain and wind. I'm sure that has contributed, but the same thing happened last year and it was pretty dry, if I remember correctly. The stems have actually grown in a curved, bent over position, so it is apparent that they gradually grew into a flopped over position, like they were reaching for something, rather than being beaten down by the elements.
