Bumbleseeds / Seeds

Campanula - Fairy Thimbles (Campanula rotundifolia) Scottish Bluebell Bell Flowers Harebells Open Pollinated Flower

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Campanula - Fairy Thimbles (Campanula rotundifolia) Scottish Bluebell Bell Flowers Harebells Open Pollinated Flower

Perennial

Height 1-2 ft

The Harebell, also known as Fairy Thimbles, Scottish bluebell,  cuckoo's shoe, witch bells and old man's shoe, is a widespread, slender-stemmed perennial of the family Campanulaceae. Typically native to woodlands, meadows, and the cliff sides, Harebells will grow in full sun. 

There are more than 30 named wild varieties of Campanula rotundifolia. Plants has small, rounded, basal leaves that disappear before the bellflowers form; these are replaced by long slender stem leaves. The delicate stems grow in clumps; each stem bears one to several enchanting blue-violet bell shaped blossoms that resemble little thimbles.

Dreaming about harebells is said to symbolise true love. It was believed that witches would transform themselves into hares and hide among the Bluebells. According to the Oxford English Dictionary the name Harebell derives from the flower growing in places frequented by hares. 

Perfect addition to cottage gardens, borders and cutting flower gardens.

  • Full sun to part shade
  • Prefers sandy, well drained soils with average moisture
  • Direct sowing: seeds are extremely small (1 million seeds per oz) and should be mixed with a sand to help disperse the seeds. Place seed on the surface of a prepared seedbed in late fall so that the seed overwinters and germinates naturally in spring.
  • Alternate Direct Sowing Method:  also possible in the late fall through to mid-winter. Fill plastic pots with a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix. Place seeds on the surface of the growing mix and label the pots. Place the pots outdoors in an area where they will experience the snow and cold of winter. The seeds will germinate in the pots in spring as the weather warms up. Be sure to water the pots regularly in spring and once the plants are 5 cm (2 in) tall, transplant them into your garden.
  • OR start seeds indoors: sow at least 5 weeks before the last frost. Scatter seeds on the surface of a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix ie vermiculite or perlite. Put these in a labelled, sealed plastic bag and store in a fridge for 1 day. The next day, place the bag in the freezer for 1 day. Repeat this pattern for 1 week, alternating between the fridge and freezer. After stratifying, place mixture on the surface of pots filled with growing media. Seed needs light to germinate; do not cover after planting. Keep these moist but not soggy and very warm (21 C - 70 F). When the seedlings are 5 cm (2 in) tall or more, transplant into the garden spaced 30 cm (1 ft) apart.

  • Seed Count: 100