Chilean Bellflower (Dark-Blue Nolana)
Nolana paradoxa. NOLANACEAE.
Planting and Growing Chilean Bellflower
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow Chilean bellflower in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of Chilean bellflower
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for Chilean bellflower
- Season of bloom and planting time for Chilean bellflower
- When, how deep, and where to plant Chilean bellflower
- How to plant Chilean bellflower
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of Chilean bellflower
- Landscape and container uses of Chilean bellflower
- Comments about Chilean bellflower and its features
Growing Chilean Bellflower
Several species and cultivars of low, spreading or trailing, fleshy, deciduous perennial herbs, 6–8 in. (15–20 cm) tall. Hairy, green, oval or lance-shaped leaves, to 2 in. (50 mm) long, on long leaf stems.
Tapered nolana, Nolana acuminata, with yellow-centered flowers, and Peruvian nolana, Nolana humifusa, with smaller flowers, are closely related species with similar care needs.
Chilean bellflower is similar in appearance to three plants of the Campanula family: Bellflower, Campanula species, with many closely related biennial and perennial plants, Canterbury Bells, Campanula medium, a biennial with striking, sometimes double flowers, and Willow Bellflower, Campanula persicifolia, a perennial with a narrow and upright habit.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Showy, deep blue, petunia-like, deep-throated flowers, to 2 in. (50 mm) wide, with cream, white, light yellow, spotted throats, in summer. Forms mericarps—dry, segmented carpels that separate as they ripen—each holding one or more seeds.
Best Climates
Semi-hardy. Plant as annual, zones 2–8; ground hardy, zones 9–11.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Average. 6.0–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full to filtered sun, 12–18 in. (30–45 cm) apart, after soil warms.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Fertilize monthly. Propagate by seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for hanging baskets, beds, containers, edgings in cottage, formal gardens. Pest and disease resistant.