Marsh Bellflower

Campanula aparinoides plants find homes for themselves in the moist havens that swamps, wet meadows and shores provide. The flowers are small, the ‘bells’ about 1/2″ or less in length appearing singly on the ends of the stalks. Five white petals flare outwards, veined prettily in pale blue to grey. Note the long, divided style coming from the center and curling at the tips.

Plants form a sort of tangled mound of many flowers, varying in height from 6 inches to 3 feet. Like marsh skullcap (one of several flower species growing in the same habitat and at the same time of year), marsh bellflower is also very diminutive with tender, weak stems. Bellflower stems, however, have the addition of tiny hairs that aid in sticking loosely on to nearby reeds and grasses. These provide the support they need to rise and shine. June through August, marsh bellflowers get ready to ring out their pretty musical notes into the swamp accompanying insects, bird calls and all the abundant life surrounding them to form a verdant, summer concert.