Saturday, June 21, 2008

New at Our Little Acre - Campanula 'Pink Octopus'


Last spring, I looked all over for this in every garden center and nursery I visited. I asked about it but the closest I ever got was when we were in Columbus. "It was on the order list, but it never got sent to us."

It seemed I wasn't going to find it locally, so I ordered it from one of my favorite mail-order nurseries, Big Dipper Farm. The order arrived and while the plant itself wasn't all that big, it had a healthy root system. It wasn't in the ground too long before I realized it was going to be a strong grower. It spread a bit before fall and frost, but it didn't get large enough to bloom yet that year.

When spring arrived this year, 'Pink Octopus' was one of the first perennials in our garden to wake up and I could see that I was going to be very pleased with this plant. It has very lush foliage that has an interesting enough shape that I like it even when it's not in bloom.



In the last week or so, it has begun to bloom, and what fascinating blooms it has! I can see how it got its cultivar name.




















I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Campanulas. They're proving to be vigorous, tough plants in our gardens and there are so many different leaf shapes and blooms in the genus. You could have a small garden comprised of nothing but Campanulas and there would be enough variation in form and color that it would be interesting to even the most veteran gardeners.

Example? Compare 'Pink Octopus' to 'Dickson's Gold':


Besides the obvious difference in foliage and bloom shape and color, the growth habit and size of the plants is quite different as well. 'Pink Octopus' grows to a height of about 12 inches, while 'Dickson's Gold' is a small-leaved ground hugger.


8 comments:

verobirdie said...

Interesting octopus indeed! I had never seen one before.

Frances, said...

Hi Kylee, your new campanula looks intriguing, spell check where are you?, good job on getting something you really wanted. I loved your bloom day post also, you have so much going on. And congrats on the magazine photo, that is a big, big deal! But the drawing 'Wandering Home' is what really caught my attention, I love it! I just wanted to ask you about astilbe Peach Blossom. I just bought one, it looked so healthy, but the color is not what I would call peach by a long shot. It looks exactly like the pink ones, is your peach colored in real life? I know sometimes the colors aren't true in a photo. And I do love the Dickson' Gold groundcover, that could find a place in my yellow/white garden. ;->

garden girl said...

Kylee, those are great campanulas. No wonder you searched high and low for them. Love the Dickson's Gold too. It's such a stunning combination of leaf and flower color. It's got a great texture too.

Cheryl said...

I love the first campanula, very unusual and pretty. I am not familiar with the second one either. I can see why you are taken with them.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

These are interesting plants Kylee. I don't have either one. I will be on the lookout for them. I have a new flower bed I am filling so they would have a nice home.

Aiyana said...

I really like the 'Dickson's Gold'. I'm not familiar with campanula, and if it would grow here, I would certainly try it.
Aiyana

kate smudges said...

The Octopus is eye catching and was well worth your efforts in hunting it down. Dickson's Gold has beautiful foliage. I love the rock garden Campanulas very much.

Kara said...

I also love Campanulas! I planted a Cherry Bells this spring and that thing is starting to spread like a weed... and I really don't mind. :)

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