Quick answer: To keep your Campanula blooming beautifully, prune it lightly after flowering in early to mid-summer, removing faded blooms and cutting back leggy growth to encourage dense, healthy regrowth and a possible second flush of flowers.
Campanula, commonly known as bellflower, is a charming perennial beloved for its delicate, bell-shaped blooms in shades of blue, purple, and white. Whether it’s cascading from a wall, brightening a border or filling a rockery, this cottage garden favourite brings an effortless softness to gardens.
There are more than 300 species of Campanula, ranging from low-growing ground covers to tall, upright varieties. Each one adds a different texture and shape to the garden, but they all share one defining trait: prolific blooming when given the right care.
From the graceful Campanula carpatica (Carpathian Bellflower) to the tall spires of Campanula persicifolia (Peach-leaved Bellflower), these plants can flower from late spring through to early autumn. With the right pruning routine, they’ll reward you with more vibrant displays year after year.
Campanula is also versatile in its growing habits. The variety of heights and colours available means there’s a type to suit almost every gardener. And with minimal maintenance required, it’s perfect for both beginners and experienced green thumbs.
Pruning is more than a tidy-up task. It’s essential for maintaining the health and vitality of your Campanula. Without regular trimming, these perennials can become leggy, produce fewer flowers or even stop blooming altogether.
Here’s why pruning matters:
Encourages repeat flowering. By deadheading spent blooms, the plant redirects its energy from seed production into new growth and flowers.
Maintains shape and compactness. A light trim prevents the plant from becoming unruly or sprawling.
Improves airflow. Removing overcrowded stems reduces the risk of
fungal diseases like mildew.
Stimulates fresh growth. A well-pruned plant rejuvenates more quickly, resulting in healthier foliage and longer-lasting displays.
Pruning also has aesthetic benefits. A well-maintained Campanula can transform a border or container, giving a neat, cared-for look that ties the garden together. It prevents the plant from looking tired or sparse and ensures every stem contributes to an abundant display.
Pruning refreshes your Campanula and keeps it looking vibrant all season long.
Timing is everything when it comes to pruning. The right moment depends on what you’re trying to achieve, whether it's prolonging blooming, shaping the plant or preparing it for winter.
|
Pruning time |
Purpose |
What to do |
|
Early summer (after first bloom) |
Encourage second flowering |
Deadhead spent blooms and lightly trim stems |
|
Mid to late summer |
Maintain shape and prevent legginess |
Cut back any uneven or overgrown areas |
|
Late autumn |
Prepare for dormancy |
Remove dead stems and tidy the plant |
|
Early spring |
Rejuvenate for new growth |
Trim back old, winter-damaged foliage |
Generally, you’ll do your main pruning after the first wave of flowers fades, typically in June or July. However, if your variety blooms later, simply follow the plant’s rhythm. Regular light pruning throughout the season helps keep growth in check and encourages new buds to form.
For gardeners in colder regions, your pruning schedule may shift with local temperatures. A hard frost can damage new growth, so check the weather before cutting back.
Follow these six simple steps to keep your campanula in peak condition.
You don’t need much, just the right basics:
A pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors.
A small garden trowel for clearing debris.
Gloves, especially if you’re working among other plants.
A bucket or trug for collecting clippings.
Keeping tools clean helps prevent the spread of disease between plants, so give them a quick wipe with a disinfectant solution before and after use.
Before cutting, take a moment to observe your campanula. Look for:
Spent or fading blooms
Leggy stems with sparse leaves
Areas where growth looks congested
Any signs of yellowing or damaged foliage
This quick check helps determine how much pruning is needed, whether a light tidy-up or a thorough rejuvenation. You need to note how evenly the plant is flowering. Uneven flowering can often indicate areas that need more light or attention.
Deadheading is the most frequent pruning task and the easiest way to extend flowering.
Use your shears/secateurs to snip off faded blooms just above a healthy set of leaves or side buds. This encourages the plant to channel its energy into producing new buds instead of seeds.
If you stay consistent, you’ll notice a rhythm: trim, regrow, bloom, repeat. This process can continue right into late summer, keeping your garden lively for months.
Once deadheading is done, step back and check the overall shape. If it looks uneven or has stems sprawling in odd directions, trim them back to match the rest of the plant.
Aim for a naturally rounded, balanced look. Avoid cutting into the woody base and focus on soft, green growth. This light shaping not only keeps your campanula neat but also encourages a bushier form with more flowering points.
Shaping prevents neighbouring plants from being overshadowed or smothered. It keeps borders tidy and allows all surrounding plants their fair share of light and airflow.
If a campanula looks tired or overgrown, a dramatic cut can work wonders. In early spring or after flowering ends, cut the entire plant back to about 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) from the ground.
This process, known as rejuvenation pruning, removes old wood and stimulates strong new shoots. Within a few weeks, you’ll see lush regrowth, ready to form fresh blooms.
For very mature clumps, you can even lift and divide them every few years to reinvigorate growth. This also prevents overcrowding and gives more plants for the garden.
After pruning, clear away all clippings and dead leaves from around the base. Leaving debris can harbour pests or diseases.
Finish by giving the plant a gentle watering and, if needed, a light feed. This post-pruning care helps it recover more quickly and prepares it for new growth. Adding a thin layer of compost or mulch at the base can retain moisture and protect roots.
Proper aftercare ensures your pruning efforts pay off. Here’s how to support your plant once you’ve trimmed it back.
Pruning can temporarily stress your Campanula, so help it bounce back with consistent watering, especially during dry spells.
Water deeply but not too often, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between sessions.
After a major prune, consider applying a balanced liquid fertiliser or a slow-release granular feed to boost recovery and new growth.
Avoid over-fertilising, as excessive nitrogen can lead to leafy growth with fewer blooms. For best results, feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to maintain nutrition.
Campanula thrives in open, airy conditions. After pruning, avoid overcrowding by spacing plants well apart and thinning out congested areas. Good airflow helps prevent mildew and keeps leaves healthy. If you grow campanula in pots or containers, rotate them occasionally so all sides get sunlight and air.
In colder regions, late-season pruning should be gentle to avoid stimulating new growth before frost. Once temperatures drop, protect the plant's base with a layer of mulch, compost, or straw.
This insulation shields roots from extreme cold and helps the plant survive winter dormancy, ready to regrow in spring. For added protection, cover potted plants with horticultural fleece or move them to a sheltered spot.
For compact, lush plants, pinch back the soft tips of new shoots in early growth stages. This small action encourages branching and creates a denser habit. Regular light trims during the season also maintain bushiness without sacrificing blooms. You can even use the trimmings to propagate new plants by rooting them in moist compost.
Pruning campanula is one of the simplest yet most rewarding garden tasks. With a little attention and good timing, your bellflowers will stay healthy, compact, and endlessly blooming.
Remember the golden rule: light trims little and often. This approach keeps your campanula vigorous, encourages repeat flowering and prevents it from becoming straggly or sparse.
Visit us at One Click Plants to see our full range of campanula varieties, suitable for all sorts of gardens and displays. And check out our Knowledge Hub for a range of guides and insights into all things gardening.
Yes, absolutely. Deadheading and light trimming after the first flowering phase prompt your campanula to produce a second flush of blooms. Removing old flowers redirects the plant’s energy toward new growth rather than seed production.
Light pruning, such as deadheading, can be done throughout the blooming season. A more substantial prune can be carried out once or twice a year, after the main flowering in summer and again in early spring if needed.
Most species follow the same general rules, but growth habits can vary. It’s important to do more granular research on each variety you choose for your garden to ensure the utmost clarity.
Legginess usually occurs when the plant stretches for light or hasn’t been pruned regularly. Keep it in full sun to partial shade and trim back faded stems promptly to maintain compact growth. You can also rejuvenate the plant every few years to refresh its shape.
Recovery time depends on the extent of pruning and growing conditions.
After light trimming or deadheading: 1-2 weeks for new buds to appear.
After a hard rejuvenation cut, 4-6 weeks for strong regrowth to establish.
Consistent watering, feeding, and sunlight will help speed up recovery and bring your Campanula back to its best.
