tomentosum—snow in summer—This, the most popular species; quickly forms a large mat like a silver carpet under starry white flowers in May and June. It is said it will grow in pure sand.
CARE. Ordinary soil, sun, dry. Easy to grow.
PROPAGATION. Seeds (plant in fall or spring), division, cuttings after flowering.
SPECIAL USES. Rock gardens, edging, flower beds, ground cover.
VARIETIES OF HAREBELL, BELL FLOWERS
| Leaves | Flowers | Blooming season | |
| carpatica | mats 4″ tall | blue saucers | June to Oct. |
| carpatica alba | mats 4″ tall | white | June to Oct. |
| carpatica ‘Wedgwood’ | cushions | violet-blue cups | June to Oct. |
| carpatica ‘White Wedgwood’ | cushions | white | June to Oct. |
| carpatica turbinata | low mass | large, flat, violet | June to Aug. |
| cochlearifolia | shell-shaped mass | blue bells | May and June |
| cochlearifolia alba | shell-shaped mass | white | May and June |
| cochlearifolia ‘Mironda’ | shell-shaped mass | silver-blue | June to Aug. |
| collina | fuzzy clumps | purple bells | June |
| elatines | dense 3″ mass | stars, white center | June and July |
| elatines alba plena | double white ‘Star of Bethlehem’ | for baskets and pots | |
| garganica | may be woolly | blue | June and July |
| portenschlagiana (muralis) | roundish, toothed crinkled tufts | violet bells | June and July |
| saxifraga | broadened | upturned violet bells | spring |
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Plumbaginaceae Leadwort
Shrubby little perennial “bushes” about eight inches high and spreading into clumps twice as wide, with hairy-edged leaves which are green with bronze overtones. It turns to a brickish color in autumn. In August the plants cover themselves with blue phlox-like flowers and continue to bloom until heavy frost.
CARE. Most any soil with drainage. Will grow in sand. Full sun best but semishade is acceptable. Don’t plant in moist location. In winter give protection.
PROPAGATION. Seeds in the spring, division at time of new growth in spring, cuttings.