Botanical description and photo of a wild-growing form of a broad-leaved bell, growing from seeds. Broadleaf bellflower (Campanula latifolia)

Broadleaf bell is a tall herbaceous perennial. Distribution area: European part of Russia, Western Siberia, Caucasus, Central and Southern Europe, Asia Minor.

Description

The plant has a powerful branched rhizome. The stem is naked, cylindrical, reaches a height of 70-130 cm.

Source: Depositphotos

Bellflower broadleaf grows well in the shade

The leaves are ovate near the root and sit on a small petiole; lanceolate, petiolate are located along the entire length of the stem.

The flowers are large, each is located in the axil of the leaf. Form a brush. The corolla of the flower can be up to 7 cm long, cone-shaped, the edges are not deeply divided into triangular parts.

On the various photos this plant There are different colors of flowers: white, light purple and dark purple. Regardless of color, all these plants belong to the same species.

After flowering, a fruit is formed - a box. Seeds are small, oval, Brown color. They ripen at the end of summer.

cultivation

Wild bellflower plants are not currently used in ornamental gardening. Many new varieties and hybrids have been developed that have larger and brighter flowers.

In early spring, seeds are sown in a container with fertile soil. The first time is tightened with a film or covered with glass. After germination, the glass or film is removed.

Broadleaf bell is grown from seeds by seedlings.

When the seedlings grow up and get stronger, or when 1-2 pairs of true leaves appear, it can be planted in open ground in May, after the return frost has passed.

For planting, sunny or semi-shady areas of the garden are best suited. The plant grows well in the shade.

Another method of reproduction is the division of the rhizome after flowering in autumn or spring.

The plant loves lungs fertile soils without standing water. On clay soils, it is also possible to grow a broad-leaved bell. However, the composition of clay soil needs to be improved by adding humus or peat.

The flower responds well to the application of nitrogen fertilizers in the spring to increase green mass, potassium and phosphorus during flowering and seed ripening. You can use complex fertilizers for flowering plants.

The plant is unpretentious, easily propagated. Decorative forms of a hand bell will become decoration of any personal plot.

The field bell is one of the popular flowers that can be found in the forest, in a clearing or in the steppe, as well as in decorative plantings at gardeners. There are many different types of various shades Some of them have medicinal properties.

Biological description

The field bell belongs to the genus of herbaceous plants of the family of the same name, the Latin name Campanula comes from the diminutive version of the Italian word Campana, that is, the bell, the Russian version is similarly chosen.

All species of this culture are characterized by a funnel-shaped flower, a tubular corolla, consisting of 5 jagged petals diverging upward, which have grown together at the base. Inflorescences are found in 2 species (paniculate or racemose), topped with peduncles at the top, occasionally solitary.

Its stem can be simple or with branches, in some species creeping in length or creeping. The leaves have an elongated shape, form a basal rosette at the base, petiolate above.

As a rule, bluebells bloom from late spring to mid-summer for 15-45 days. But there are also later species that bloom in August-September. In addition, some varieties are distinguished by a long, up to 3 months, flowering period. The fruit looks like a box with large quantity seeds.

Classification and popular varieties

There are almost 300 types of bluebells in the world. By duration life cycle they are divided into one-, two- and perennial, the latter of which have many varieties and interspecific hybrids.

According to the habitat, they are classified into the following types:

• field;
• forest;
• mountain.

In Russia, in forests, meadows, floodplains and steppes, you can find more than 10 types of field bells that bloom from the end of spring for almost the entire summer season.

The most popular varieties of this flower, which are often used to decorate summer cottages and household plots:

• A modest-looking flower loves light copses, meadows, slopes of ravines, blooming in early June. The stem usually does not exceed 60 cm in height, branches upwards. The plant is biennial, differs from others in a dissected corolla of a flower of 5 lobules, oblong leaves with sharp tips arranged in a spiral.
• peach-leaved. Considered a model of beauty among its fellows, the flower has a sky-blue hue, the petals are fused, it grows in fields, sparse forests, near paths and paths. It was this species that was first cultivated in Europe.
• The bell is crowded. It belongs to dwarf species, reaching a height of 30 to 60 cm, the stems are very thin, the flowers are small, collected in bunches, have a dark blue-violet hue. Flowering time is from late June to mid-August.
• Nettle . Prefers wet and damp ravines, common in middle lane, in height can grow up to 140 cm, has strong stems covered with hairs. Its leaves are similar in shape to nettles, inflorescences are grouped up to 3 pieces in a brush near the top and in the axils, the corolla has a lilac-blue hue.
• broad-leaved. Occurs in ravines, between shrubs in the forest, blooms later than all other varieties, usually in July-August. The leaves are large, 10-15 cm long, located at the base. The stems are straight and strong, reach a height of up to 130 cm. The flowers can be blue or pale purple, arranged in 1-3 pieces. The species is cultivated, many varieties have been bred.

mountain views

Such bells are medium-sized, having maximum height up to 80 cm. The most popular among them are Caucasian species:

• Round-leaved. Differs in a more rounded shape of the leaves, collected near the root, which die off during the flowering period. The petals are tinted blue. The plant has medicinal properties.
• Takeshima. Winter-hardy culture, decorated double flowers with pink, lilac or blue petals collected in racemes, the heads hang down.

• Spot. Large white and pink-lilac flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences, seem to droop.
• The bell is medium. The most effective and popular type. Breeders have bred many of its interesting varieties.

Dwarf varieties

Undersized types of field bells include:

• Carpathian . An ornamental variety with a long flowering period of up to 70 days. It grows in bushes with a diameter of 20-30 cm, abundantly strewn with small flowers in shades of blue, lilac and white.

• Daisy. Perennial winter-hardy plant, forming dense tufts up to 15 cm tall. Flowers looking vertically upwards, blue or purple, arranged 1 on each low stem.

Cultivation and care

Basic rules for planting and watering field bells:

• plants love sunny places, can not stand loved ones ground water, since this can cause freezing of the root system;
• the soil is preferably loamy, neutral or slightly alkaline, sand and humus are also added, prepared in advance with the introduction of rotted manure, fertilizers, drainage is laid down;
• watering is moderate, during the growth period it is useful to apply fertilizers with nitrogen, when laying buds - mineral;
• loves loose soil, which also helps in the fight against weeds;
• dry, faded parts of the plant should be removed immediately, which will open up a place for new buds;
• boxes with seeds must be collected, preventing self-sowing;
• perennial varieties for the winter are covered with peat, dry leaves or spruce branches.

Each species also has its own nuances and features of cultivation and care.

reproduction

Wildflowers bluebells reproduce in 3 ways:

• seeds - annual species;
• cuttings and seeds - biennial;
• vegetative propagation or segments of a long root.

Black small seeds of annuals, extracted from a dried box, are sown in late autumn directly into open ground. You can make seedlings for planting in the spring, after frost, in the phase of 3 leaves.

The vegetative method is perfect for southern heat-loving varieties, as well as for preserving the desired genetic traits (double, etc.). The division of the plant is carried out in the spring of the 3rd year, with the exception of rapidly maturing species that can give planting divisions in the fall.

When dividing, an adult bush is dug up, ground shoots are cut off, and the rhizome is divided so that each part must have a growth point. When planting in grooves, it should remain above the ground.

When cuttings, young shoots of the plant are used, separating them in the spring in the 2nd year.

Bell pests and diseases

The plant belongs to the resistant species, rarely susceptible to diseases. However, when growing a crop in the same place for long period possible development of fungal diseases. Therefore, as a preventive measure, it is recommended to treat the soil and the seedlings themselves with a solution of "Fundazol".

With prolonged moisture, rotting of the neck or the roots themselves may occur, but this can be avoided by making drainage during planting and regularly loosening the soil. Watering should be moderate.

Among the pests, the plant is most often attacked by slugs, from which it must be treated with metaldehyde.

plant relatives

By structure and appearance there are wildflowers that look like bluebells:

• Digitalis (digitalis). The plant belongs to the herbs of the plantain family, beautiful flowers pink and lilac, arranged in bunches on the stem, shaped like fused bell petals.
• Lilies of the valley. A common plant in temperate countries with small white flowers.
• Fritillaria (fritillaria). Herbaceous perennial from the lily family, has 150 species, grows with temperate climate. The Russian name comes from the words "pockmarked, motley".

Field bell: useful properties and contraindications

AT folk medicine several types of plants are used. The crowded bell has the greatest therapeutic effect. For the preparation of decoctions and infusions from this culture, all parts of the plant are collected, except for the roots. The optimal time for harvesting is the flowering period. Collection is best done in places of mass growth (see photo of the crowded bellflower below).

It is better to harvest raw materials outdoors in the shade under a canopy, but you can use a dryer. But only when maximum temperature up to 40 ºС. Plants are stored in cloth bags in a dry dark place up to 1 year.

Useful properties of the field bell are due to the content of active substances: carotene, kaempeferol, citric and caffeic acid, magnesium and potassium. Prepared medicinal infusions have a sedative effect on the peripheral nervous system, are successfully used in the treatment of inflammatory processes in the throat, when coughing, are used in the form of compresses to relieve the symptoms of rheumatism, wound healing.

Recipes for medicinal decoctions and infusions:

• A decoction is made from 3 tbsp. l. dry mixture per 0.5 l of water, boil for 5 minutes. covered, insist 1 hour, strain and squeeze. Use ½ tbsp. after meals to strengthen the body in viral and infectious diseases.
• For the treatment of sore throats, stomatitis and other diseases of the throat, gargles with a decoction of the bell are used: 2 tsp. herbs for 1 tbsp. boiling water.
• An infusion to reduce pain in the stomach and kidneys can be prepared from 20 g of dry grass per 0.5 liter of boiling water. Leave for 2 hours, then filter. Drink 2/3 tbsp. with pain. The maximum daily dose is 2 glasses.
• Soothing and relaxing bath done with the addition of infusion (100 g of dry mixture per 1 liter of boiling water, insist until cool). Strain the liquid and add to the prepared bathing water.
• Removal of joint pain and treatment of sciatica . It is carried out using a compress dipped in a decoction prepared from 2 tbsp. l. dry herbs for 1 tbsp. boiling water. It must be insisted for 40 minutes, then strain. The compress is applied to the sore spot several times a day.

A contraindication to the use of therapeutic agents is the individual intolerance of the plant, as well as the disease of leukocytosis.

Many hybrids and varieties of bluebell are favorite and popular flowers widely used in home garden ornamental plantings.

The bell is nettle-leaved, peach-leaved, crowded, like other types of this tall herbaceous plant, are very popular today among flower growers. Some of the bluebell species grow in both natural and cultural conditions. For example, such plants include broadleaf bell, the cultivation of which has been known for several hundred years. What is attractive plant for flower growers? Did the cultivation of the plant affect the preservation of the species in nature? These are questions that concern not only environmental scientists, but also everyone who is not indifferent to the preservation of the natural balance on the planet.

Description of the species

The broadleaf bell, the description of which is given below, is a herbaceous perennial, in some cases a biennial or annual plant. Its height is from sixty to one hundred and twenty centimeters. The species is distinguished by thickened lateral roots that look like a spindle, as well as a powerful rhizome.

The stem of the plant is naked, has the shape of a cylinder. At the top, the shoot has the shape of an obtuse angle.

The broadleaf bell is distinguished by oblong leaves resembling an egg in shape, serrated along the edges, pointed. On both sides, the leaves are covered with a sparse soft fluff. The upper leaf plates differ significantly in their appearance from the lower ones.

Broadleaf bell has racemose inflorescences. The flowers are large, purple. White flowers are rare.

The fruit is capsule-shaped with three pores at the base. The seeds are flattened, light brown in color, ovoid in shape.

Bellflower growing in vivo, is resistant to pests and diseases.

Plant propagation

The preferred method of propagation is by seed. When ripe, they spill out of the box while the stems sway in the wind. Shoots will appear next year in the spring. Sometimes the seeds germinate only in the second or third year.

The ability of the plant to self-seeding allows it to be classified as a weed. Although young shoots are easily removed from the soil and do not deliver special trouble gardeners.

Places of distribution, growing conditions

Broadleaf bell is found in Europe, Transcaucasia, Asia Minor, Himalayas, Altai.

Widely distributed in broad-leaved, dark coniferous, mixed forests. Often found along river banks. Bluebell thickets can be found among subalpine forbs.

The plant prefers shady areas with moist rich soils, but does not tolerate waterlogging. The lack of moisture is experienced painlessly, so it is often found in open sunny places.

Saving a View

Human economic activity is not always thoughtful. Grazing, collection medicinal plants, cultivation of virgin lands and many other human activities can lead to unpredictable consequences.

Like many other herbaceous plants, the broad-leaved bell does not tolerate mechanical stress. The Red Book has pages where some species of this seemingly common plant are listed. Until recently, the Carpathian bell was widespread in the Carpathians. Today it is endangered. Breeding and conservation work gives hope for the preservation of this type of bluebell.

Where is the broadleaf bell used

The plant is used by flower growers as an ornamental planting. Most often it can be seen in group plantings. Also used by florists for making bouquets. How cultivated plant cultivated since 1576.

The leaves and roots of the broadleaf bell contain the carbohydrate inulin.

Leaves and roots are edible. For eating, it is recommended to take the root of plants whose age does not exceed two years. Older roots are so hard that they are not suitable for cooking.

Varietal and species diversity

Today, scientists know about three hundred types of bluebell. Most natural forms are successfully transferred to gardens, flower beds, and parks. Plants are decorative, do not require much care. But they do not differ in a wide variety of colors.

For several centuries, the bell has been the object of research by breeders. One of its species was no exception - this is a broad-leaved bell flower. Scientists derived a large number of various varieties of this plant.

The most popular are such as "Alba", "Brantwood", "Makranta" and many others. These forms have large inflorescences, characterized by a variety of shades of color.

Bell broad-leaved "White Alba" has a rare for this species White color petals, which makes the plant surprisingly unusual. It cannot go unnoticed in the landing sites.

Variety "Makranta" is distinguished by an unusually large size of the inflorescence and a rich dark purple color of the petals.

Plants are easily propagated by dividing the bush. Natural forms of the plant prefer the seed method of distribution.

Bell broad-leaved Carpathian

Mountain types of bluebells are very popular. Broad-leaved Carpathian is one of them. The plant is valued for its short stature, compactness of the bush. This makes it possible to grow the plant on Alpine rollercoaster and stony soils.

Available varietal diversity species - White Star, White Alba, Blue Celestina, Isabelle and many others. The positive characteristic is that the plant gives abundant self-seeding. In addition, it is easy to propagate vegetatively.

Bushes grow rapidly, forming dense thickets. Flowering is possible already in the first year of sowing. Usually the Carpathian bell pleases with flowers from May to September, which is important for decorative design flower garden.

The fragility of the plant is one of its shortcomings. After two or three years, the bell dies, so regular updating of plantings is required. Excessive fertilization also leads to rapid aging of the bush and a decrease in its winter hardiness.

Cultivation

Under natural conditions, the broadleaf bell is distributed by seeds. Florists also use this method of reproduction of the species. To obtain seedlings, seeds are sown in early spring. The plant is planted in the flower bed when the threat of frost has passed. The bell, planted by seedlings, blooms the next year.

Seeds can be sown directly into the ground, but at different times. May or June is suitable for most regions of Russia.

The vegetative method of propagation of the broadleaf bell is also acceptable. The division of the rhizome is one of them. For these purposes, it is not necessary to dig up the entire plant. With a garden shovel, the desired part of the rhizome is separated and transplanted to the prepared area.

The method of cutting green stems for the purpose of plant propagation is rarely used, as it does not give a good result. But experienced flower growers successfully apply it.

top dressing with complex fertilizers is necessary during growth;

moderate regular watering has a beneficial effect on the development of the plant;

after flowering, it is necessary to remove the inflorescences;

some varieties for the winter require shelter.

Cultivars of broadleaf bellflower may be susceptible to some diseases. One of them is powdery mildew. It affects the plant in the second half of summer in cool rainy weather.

For young plants dangerous pests can become aphids and slugs. Conventional means are used to combat them.