PlantFiles: Scottish Harebell, Bluebells of Scotland, Harebell
Campanula rotundifolia

I bet the invasive plant one person mentioned is actually creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides). It has long spikes of flowers that are less round than harebell. It spreads by creeping roots and seed, and is hard to dig out because it sends down long taproots or tubers.

I've seen harebell in the cliffs along the St. Croix and it seems the very opposite of invasive.

In my opinion harebells loves poor soil, not just "tolerate it". In fact the only place in Minnesota that I have seen it is either on the North Shores, growing between cracks of rocks near Lake Superior or near large outcrops of rocks - recently I saw a blooming speciment at O' Brien State Park growing on the small rocky cliffs that drop down to the St. Croix river. They also seem to like sandy environments where the sands are more unpredictable or less competitions from taller plants. I also have the feeling it is rated close to zone 2 hardy as I have seen it in Alaska in boreal and almost alpine habitation - I think I have seen it growing in areas where glaciers had retreated (in rocky and sandy locations) but is not 100% sure. From my observation it seem to be at the most common in boreal environments, seemly resent being crowded by taller plants in the wild thought seem there are reference to it growing in grassy prairie habitation so there may be another reason why it is largely absent from other habitation?

I have h ad this plant for 8-9 years. It has not spread all over my garden! It is in partial shade, and has been very slow growing. I would be happy for it to grow a little faster! It is one of my favorite flowers.

Some comments state that this species has naturalized in the U.S., but it is a U.S. native (in fact it is circumboreal, so native to much of the northern hemisphere). Other comments state it is invasive, but at least where I live (NE Iowa), I wish it were more assertive, as it is anything but aggressive in our native prairie garden.

It is a very delicate looking plant, and will therefore tend to intermingle with other surrounding plants. It can have a bit of difficulty standing up on its own, at least in the first couple years while the roots get established, and does best when grown in crowds.

Very attractive, showy flower that attracts hummingbirds. Ours bloom for months, from late spring/early summer into August.

Good drought tolerance, & likes well-drained to sandy soil.

Latin species name comes from the round leaves found only at the base of the stem, while its most visible leaves are long and thin. I've heard two accounts of the common name, harebell. First is that it grows where there are lots of rabbits. The second is an association with witches, which is some folklore could turn themselves into hares. An older Scottish name is witches' thimble, which may or may not help explain the witch-rabbit connection. Endangered & "exploitably vulnerable" in OH & NY, respectively.

Scottish Harebell, Bluebells of Scotland, Harebell Campanula rotundifolia is Naturalized in Texas and other States,

Grown in part shade, it forms a nice clump that flowers most of the summer. The last year or two I've had some sort of disease on my Campanulas that twists and contorts them....ending up with me pulling the plants so that it won't infect them all. Has anyone else had this? Or know what causes it? I beleive it's viral..but I'm not sure. If anyone has info on this let me know please! Thanks :)

I haven't found this to be invasive in my garden. I started mine from seed. The plants spread slowly to form a patch, and they bloom all summer long. The lavender-blue bells are very pretty.

I noticed this plant growing in our neighborhood and decided to add it to our garden. Big mistake! It may be the most invasive plant I've ever seen. It spreads rapidly by roots and seeds and once established it is nearly impossible to eradicate. Use it only in areas where it can be contained.

Campanula rotundifolia – Scottish harebell is a perennial and hardy from zones 3-9. It forms a loose rosette of rounded leaves and sends up multiple wiry stems with nodding, 1-inch, lilac flowers. Plants grow 12-15 inches tall in full sun or partial shade. Scottish harebells have become naturalized throughout the Northern Hemisphere and they’re a nice plant for a wildflower garden. They’re tolerant of poor soils and will re-seed themselves through the garden.