Campanula zangezura

With a name that sounds like a fairy tale character, this rare Campanula cousin has charm to spare. Broadly flared bells painted in the prettiest shade of lilac dangle on delicate branching, dark leafy stems. Prominent anthers, dainty recurving petals and narrow ribbed buds enhance the profuse summer-long display, while a winsome bed of green, coarsely toothed, soft hairy leaves lolls below. Flourishing in fertile well draining soil, but pouting during hot humid weather, the Rock Bellflower can be tucked into the rockery, a trough, or along a pathway where its endearing looks will surely bring a smile to your face.

I want this in my garden just so I'll have an excuse to say "zanzegur" all the time. And not only does it have a cool name, it is gorgeous, a tidy mound a little under a foot tall totally covered in delicate bells that the perfect shade of blue tinged faintly with lavender. Happy in a lightly shaded garden, and easy. Symphyandra get overlooked because no one has heard of them and they're overshadowed by the better known campanula. But they're so much better than campanula! Resist the urge to conform to the bell flower hegemony and grow some of symphyandra! Zone 5

Charming, flaring, pendulous, lilac bells keep coming all Summer on this very rare member of the Campanula family. To 10” tall and 15” spread, the bells are borne on delicate, wiry stems. The geranium-like leaves are attractive, soft and felty. Symphyandras love bright to part shade and rich soil. Adorable as edging or in a mixed container.