Image source – Pixabay
Flowers are pretty in themselves, with their myriad colors and shapes. They come in all sizes and suit even the fussiest garden enthusiasts. Bell shaped flowers are characteristically shaped like bells. Typically, the flowers are blue, but may be lavender or white as well. In gardener’s parlance, they are referred to as bellflowers. Several are grown as garden ornamental flowers. Native to northern climates, they are also grown in Mediterranean regions and tropical mountains. Flowers may be annuals, perennials or herbs with bell shaped flowers. Here are some you may want to know about.
Image source – Pixabay
Harebell
Also known as the Scottish Bluebell, the Harebell is a thin-stemmed flower of the perennial kind. It bears bell shaped flowers that appear to be “nodding” in a light breeze. Some flowers are lilac and others are blue. Native to meadows, cliff tops, and woods of the northern part of Eurasia, they are also found in North America and South America. There are more than thirty varieties of this pretty flower. Leaves are small and round, and disappear before flowers fully bloom. Known to grow in clumps, the slender stems of Harebells reach heights of 1 to 2 feet. Each of these delicate stems may have one to many bell shaped flowers drooping on it.
Foxglove
Foxgloves produce the most beautiful colored bell shaped flowers. Commonly called Fairycaps, Fairy Fingers and Fairy Bells, these flowers come in pink, purple, white, yellow and cream hues. They can grow anywhere from 1 to 5 feet. They fully blossom in the summer season. On a single stem of these bellflowers, you may discover 20 to 80 blooms. They appear lush in any garden. While exceedingly lovely to behold, these flowers are poisonous, including the sap, flowers, seeds and leaves. Even the dried leaves may be toxic.
Beardtongue Flower
This flower comes in a number of varieties in terms of color and regions of growth. These bellflower beauties are found in red, pink, purple, white, and yellow colors. Some are bicolred with white on the insides. Beardtonges are perennials. They have a widespread growth and may invade the space of other plants. Tending to linger all over the garden, these lovely blooms need well-drained soil and sunlight at its fullest. Beardtongues are a great source of nectar, especially for bees. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds in equal strength.
Bethlehem Star
This pretty flower has petals that spread out in a star shape. The rest of the flower is bell shaped. This is a winter bulb and belongs to the family of Lilies. It blooms in the latter part of spring or very early in summer. These bell shaped flowers are native to the Mediterranean region, but grow well in other regions as well. Foliage is arching and can take over other flower areas quickly. Most people like to control this growth by planting these flowers in containers.
Lily of the Valley
Show us one person who doesn’t love lilies! They are one of the most beautiful flowers on the planet, even though they are commonly neutral, mostly white. Soft looking and elegant, the Lily of the Valley is a pristine white bell shaped flower grown in Europe and North America. You will find it in some parts of Asia too. The Lily of the Valley loves colder climes, and thrives for years if you tend to it well. The flower is easy to care for, growing ideally in partial shade and soil that is moist, but not very wet. Enduring till they are loved, they are toxic if ingested, so keep pets and children away from them. These wonderful flowers are popular with royalty, and Kate Middleton, Princess Diana and Princess Grace all insisted on wedding bouquets of these elegant flowers.
Canterbury Bell Flowers
Found across Europe and the USA, these are biennial blooms originally grown in the Southern parts of Europe. It may take two years for the first bulbs to bloom, but the wait is worth it. These bell shaped flowers are available in blue, pink, white and purple flowers and add a great deal of vibrancy to any garden. They need full sunlight, but don’t do too badly in partial shade either. Cool and pleasant climates are good for these plants. Canterbury Bells are not toxic, so if you have kids around, or pets, they are a good choice. They look good in flower boxes, especially to deck up a patio or pool area.
Snowdrop
You will see Snowdrops popping out in the early part of the year, in February or March. They show themselves when the snow has barely melted. Small, compared to other bell shaped flowers, they grow 3 to 6 inches tall with a single white flower. This will ultimately droop, and this looks exactly like a snowdrop. The flower grows well in the full light of the sun and in partial shade. The flowers are very easy to care for. Perennial as they are, they will regrow on their own. They appear delicate, but they are poisonous and pets and kids need to be kept away from them.
Muscari
Bellflowers like Muscari are much sought after. They are bulbous looking bell shaped flowers in a rich purplish blue color that is rare in flowers. They grow between 6 to 8 inches in height. Popular because they look lovely as they stand alone, these blooms tend to compliment other flower shades too. Making a statement, they appear pleasing to the eye when panted beside tulips, as both flowers are similarly shaped and bloom in the middle of spring. If you maintain them well, they regrow on a yearly basis and keep deer away. They flourish in the full light of the sun and partial shade.
Daffodil
Daffodils are some of the most famous flowers all over the world and not only because of William Wordsworth! They are breathtakingly gorgeous, with a background of petals forming a star. The center of the flower has a long bell shape, more like a trumpet with a frilly edge. Flowers are always bright yellow, growing in clusters and heavy bunches. They are native to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, but these perennials are popular in all parts of the globe now. Some varieties grow in yellow and white and orange and yellow too. They need to be planted in the fall so that they bloom in spring. Full sunlight is a necessary condition for Daffodils to grow optimally. They make great cut flowers for a vase indoors too.
Common Bluebell
Native to Europe, growing wild in England, the Common Bluebell is also called the English Bluebell. In the countryside of England, this bell shaped flower is typically found in woody areas. You will find isolated large areas of Common Bluebells with no other kinds of flowers around as these are invasive. Flowers spread far and wide, so they do better in window boxes. They can grow to heights of 10 or 11 inches and come in a bright bluish violet hue. Sometimes, you may be lucky to spot the rare pink or white varieties too. Common Bluebells can be seen all over the English countryside from April to June, and are a source of pride for locals.