Characteristics of the Dalmatian bell
Dalmatian bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana) belongs to the family Campanulaceae.
In the wild, found in the territory of the Balkan countries. In a warm climate growing evergreen. It prefers to grow on the rocky slopes.
Depending on the height of the shoots, all kinds of bells can be divided into groups: dwarf, medium, tall.
Flowers kampanuly Portenshlaga may be bell-shaped, star-shaped or tubular, depending on the variety and form a twine or erect stems. There are many shades of petals: lavender-blue, purple-blue, red and white.
A short, creeping perennial refers to one of the most low-growing species of the genus in the sizes of their shoots. Expanding creeping shoots slightly rounded serrated leaves, it forms bushes 10-15 cm high and 40 cm wide, which covers the ground dense pads.
Luxuriant bloom covers the entire plant. It flowers from June to August. Flowers on the ends of the shoots collected in inflorescence 3 5 pieces, their size to 3 cm. Flowers purple coloration. There are plants with reddish and white flowers. The flowers of five petals, at the time of full disclosure are similar to asterisks. At the end of flowering, the fruit is a box with very small seeds. Toothed leaves are usually oval. Depending on the variety foliage can be evergreen or deciduous.
Maintenance
This attractive groundcover shrub is undemanding and easy to clean in all respects. to the location of low requirements. For it is suitable as a well-lit place of the sun and partial shade.
soil
The soil should be slightly moist but well-permeable, more dry than wet. Also suitable rocky soil neutral to alkaline with nutrients. Too heavy soil before planting to improve sand. For potted plants suitable soil for flowering plants.
Campanula behaves better in group crop plants in the region between 20 to 30 centimeters.
Watering Dalmatian bellflower need to be watered regularly, although at times it can withstand a few days of drought. Precipitation spring and fall enough to provide sufficient moisture bell.
In the first weeks of planting watering is needed for healthy development. In the flowering period requires more watering.
Fertilization
To cushion on the green ground cover plants had many flowers, you should start preparing for this early in the spring. Fertilizing begin in the first weeks of spring, and should be performed regularly until August. Apply a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants. Develops and intense flowering Campanula Portenschlagiana thanks to fertilizers containing phosphorus.
Elegant plant requires a sufficient amount of fertilizer:
- fertilize regularly from April to August;
- use a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants once a week;
- useful long-acting fertilizer, especially for beds.
If Dalmatian bell was recently planted, fertilizer is not entered. Regular fertilization should be initiated only after the growth phase. Even if the garden soil at planting time was added to the compost, it would be enough nutrients.
Campanula Portenschlagiana planting
Dalmatian bells theoretically can be planted from spring to autumn. The best time for planting Campanula portenschlagiana – spring from March and before the summer. You should avoid planting during dry periods.
When planting in the garden digging a hole larger root clump of 2-3 centimeters, creating waterlogging drainage from the bottom of the pit.
The beds are not always, then bells can be planted on the balcony, terrace or in the room:
- choose a large enough capacity;
- can be used for planting a few plants together;
- is poured over the drainage hole drainage to prevent waterlogging;
- poured half the prepared soil and insert the plant;
- Absorb remaining roots with soil and gently press down;
- well watered and allowed to wet the first time.
Additional information! Bell gets along well with other plants, and it can be grown as ground cover around the high stalk. It looks good when planting in containers. He completely covers the ground flowering shoots
Reproduction kampanyly Portenshlaga
Bells best propagated by dividing the beams or cuttings in spring and autumn. Separation is used to rejuvenate the plant. To do this, take out the root ball out of the ground, and with the help of a shovel is divided into several parts, and then sit down separately each part.
Separate the plants as follows:
- dig the plant with the root clod;
- divide the rhizome into two or more parts;
- remove old, dried roots.
- put in the desired location as usual.
When dividing use only sharp and, above all, disinfected tools.
Campunala portenschlagiana forms seeds that can be propagated. Sow seeds at any time. 
The grains were covered with soil and maintained wet at about 20 degrees. Bells germinate quickly, and they are placed in a cooler place. Flowering plants grown from seeds coming 2-3 years.
</ span>As a rule, trimming this unpretentious in the care of plants is not required if all the year attention was paid to the removal of dead shoots and withered flowers.
After flowering is recommended to trim the flowers dry to encourage further flowering. Pruning after flowering plant strengthens
Diseases and pests
Bells disease-resistant plants. Risk of fungal disease occurs when long-term cultivation in the same place. In this case, the spring and fall planting is necessary to process fundozola solution.
In the care of the delicate ground cover plants little that can go wrong. You should know a few mistakes in the service:
- It may be root rot under waterlogging. The plant can not be saved
- Too severe drought, the leaves hang down. Place the plant in a pot with a bucket of water is allowed to stand.
- If you do not form flowers, fertilizing properly.
- In the winter they need more light cover to prevent access of excessive moisture.
Use of garden design Dalmatian bell
Campanula portenschlagiana in garden design can be used in different ways. It is suitable for decoration of flower beds with perennials, decorated with rock gardens. It can be used for landscaping slopes, curbs. Thanks to plentiful flowering and bright, bells look good in combination with other plants. Also, they feel comfortable in a potted garden on the balcony and terrace. 
Campanula Portenschlagiana often use colors lovers in landscaping areas. Their simplicity of maintenance, long and abundant flowering is gaining more interest among growers.
