Are you looking for some interesting flowers for your yard? Do you feel like you need some exciting new flowers to spruce up your landscaping?
I love pretty much any flower that looks like a bell. I find them really interesting, and they looked great when I added them to my own garden. My guests always comment on them! This is why I wanted to share them with my readers.
I’ve explored some intriguing plants and flowers in this bell-shaped flowers list. It is so simple to add some bell-looking flowers to your yard for a fascinating look.
Contents
Shrubs And Trees With Bell-Shaped Flowers
Angel’s Trumpet
You can see why these flowers have “trumpet” in their name. The flowers look like a trumpet as they get wider toward the end, just like the brass instrument. These flowers thrive in hardiness zones 8-11.
This image shows a beautiful example of this flower in white, but they come in multiple colors. Their scientific name is Brugmansia and they are sometimes confused with the datura because they look similar.
An added bonus, they are very fragrant and can add a nice smell to your yard.
Fuchsia
The Fuchsia genus is very popular among gardeners and it includes shrubs and trees. They were first discovered in the 1600s and are actually a Caribbean species of plant. Now, they are found all over the world.
The fuchsia’s hanging flowers are gorgeous and the shrub is pretty hardy. If you keep it alive through the winter, it will come back the following summer. Fuchsia Magellanica grows in hardiness zones 6-10.
White Mountain Heather
White mountain heather has beautiful white flowers with red stalks. The flowers are small but heather can cover large areas of a yard.
Its scientific name is Cassiope Mertensiana and it grows naturally in the western U.S. It thrives in places that aren’t overly warm, so you’ll find it from Alaska all the way down the West Coast. It’s best suited to hardiness zone 8.
Yellow Bells
You may have heard of bluebells, but these are yellow bells and they’re just as impressive. Their Latin name is Tecoma Stans and they grow in hardiness zone 9-11, which includes Arizona.
A dash of yellow can look amazing in your garden. Plus, they’re a bit unusual, so planting them can give a more exciting look to your landscape design. These are shrubs that bloom from spring all the way through to fall and they are pretty hardy. They can grow in a plant bed or a container.
Vines With Bell-shaped Flowers
Mandevilla
Mandevilla is a genus that grows best in the hotter parts of America. It likes the sun and partial shade, so it could be great for planting in a gazebo or pergola in hardiness zones 9 and above.
It is in the Apocynaceae family of plants and you may hear Mandevilla described as rock trumpet, due to the trumpet shape of the inner flower.
Carolina Jessamine
Carolina jessamine or Gelsemium Sempervirens features another dash of yellow, this time on a vine. In fact, this is a twining vine and can look fantastic growing up a structure.
It grows in zones 7-9 and is native to the southern states, including Carolina, hence the name. However, you might hear it called many other names, including yellow jessamine, poor man’s rope, or yellow jasmine. It is also sometimes called the evening trumpet flower, due to its bell-shaped flowers.
Morning Glories
Morning glories come in many forms and the genus has lots of subspecies within the Convolvulaceae genus. They grow in hardiness zones 3 through 10.
This is a vine that is easy to grow and it can cover a huge area — so you can plant it beneath a trellis for a stunning look at your garden. Morning Glory comes in a variety of colors and is low-maintenance.
Covering Bell-Shaped Flowers
Bellflowers/Bluebells
Campanula is a genus of plants that includes the bluebell. Bluebells are iconic. If you plant these in your yard, your neighbors may be jealous! They grow in zones 4 and above.
Campanula is derived from Latin and translates as “little bell”. Obviously, this is because of the shape of the beautiful hanging flowers.
Foxglove
Foxgloves are beautiful and the genus includes herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials. The speckled pattern on the inside of the flower is how you can identify a foxglove, also known as Digitalis.
Their beautiful flowers grow in clusters in a multitude of colors, including white, pink, and purple. They look amazing among other wildflowers or to give a splash of color in a garden in zone 4-10.
Lily Of The Valley
Not just a mythical name, these flowers have quite a mythical look, too! The flowers are small and can perfectly fill empty spaces in your yard. They work well in zones 2 through 9.
Be warned that the flowers on the Convallaria Majalis are very poisonous, but they smell sweet and the small white bell flowers are beautiful. They can also grow in colder parts of the world.
Canterbury Bells
This is another species of beautiful white bell-shaped flower. Canterbury bells don’t droop as much as some of the other species on this list. They grow in hardiness zones 4-10 and are visually striking.
Campanula Medium, or Canterbury Bells, is actually a type of bellflower. This species grows in many different shades of violet, as well as in the pure white color.
Twinflower
Twinflowers are dainty and small. They often grow in pairs, hence the name, and their Latin name is Linnaea Borealis. The stalk of the flower branches off into two and a flower grows on each end, giving a gorgeous and interesting look.
You can get larger clusters of these tiny flowers, growing in pairs. They grow best in zones 7-11.
Planting and Care for Bell-shaped Flowers
Choosing the Right Container
When planting bell-shaped flowers in containers, I’ve found that it is important to choose a container that is the appropriate size for the plant. A container that is too small may restrict the growth of the plant, while a container that is too large may lead to over-watering and root rot. Generally, a container with a diameter of at least 12 inches is suitable for most bell-shaped flowers.
Soil Requirements
I have planted many different types of flowers before, including Bluebells and Foxgloves, and I can tell you that if you don’t get the soil right, chances are that your flowers won’t last more than a few weeks.
Bell-shaped flowers prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. You can add manure, compost, and leaf mold to your soil to help it retain moisture and nutrients. What you can’t do is over-water the plants. If you do this, they’ll be prone to root rot.
Light and Temperature
I live in a temperate climate, so I can’t tell you how much light bell-shaped flowers need. You’ll have to experiment with different amounts of light and darkness to see what works best for your plants.
But generally speaking, most bell-shaped flowers prefer full sun to partial shade. It is important to place the container in a location that receives adequate sunlight for the plant to thrive. The temperature requirements vary depending on the species, so it is important to consult the plant’s tag or a gardening guide for specific information.
Watering and Fertilizing
Bell-shaped flowers require regular watering, but it is important not to over-water them as this can cause root rot, something I found out the hard way. You need to water the plants when the soil feels dry to the touch and ensure the container has adequate drainage. Fertilizing should be done during the growing season, and a balanced fertilizer can be used every 2 weeks.
Pruning and Deadheading
Pruning and deadheading are important for maintaining the health and appearance of bell-shaped flowers. Pruning can be done to remove dead or damaged branches, and deadheading can be done to promote the growth of new blooms. It is important to use sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant.
More Beautifull Bell-Shaped Flowers For Your Blooming Garden
Guinea Hen Flowers
In the words of Susan Mahr from the University of Wisconsin, the Guinea hen flower, or Fritillaria meleagris, got its name due to its pattern resembling that of guinea hens. She also mentions that this plant is sometimes called a leper lily, too, because the shape of its flowers resembles the warning bell that lepers were made to carry in the past.
The guinea hen flowers are rarely found in the wild but can be successfully grown in zones 3-8. They appear in mid-spring and boast 2-inch long nodding flowers with six pointed tepals. The flowers can be white or have a checkered pattern in shades of red, pink, and dark purple.
Unfortunately, they do not smell, but they make it up with good looks. I planted these small beauties in groups near my walkway so everyone can spot them and enjoy their unique gothic charm.
Grape Hyacinth
Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is a member of the Lily family (Liliaceae), native to southeastern Europe. According to Susan Mahr, this mid-spring blooming plant produces bell-shaped cobalt-blue florets with a thin white band on their rim. Their smell is mild and sweet and I would describe it as grapey.
They look beautiful in a vase but even better when spread throughout your garden, forming a “blue river,” just like in the famous Dutch Keukenhof Gardens.
It’s best to grow grape hyacinth in zones 3-9, in well-drained soil, and in sun to shade. You can even plant them in rock gardens as they are not very demanding. One might even call them invasive. As I already implied, they look best in the masses, but you can combine them with other early-blooming bulbs, too.
Mountain Laurel
According to an article published by North Carolina University, Mountain laurel or Kalmia latifolia is an evergreen, dense, and rounded shrub with bell-shaped flowers that have inner purple markings and 10 anther pockets. It belongs to Ericaceae (blueberry) family and is native to eastern North America.
Mountain laurel grows naturally in various habitats, from woods and mountain slopes to meadows. It is best grown in USDA zones 5 to 9 and usually gets up to 10 feet tall, but up in the Appalachian Mountains, it can grow into a small tree up to 32 feet tall.
In your garden, it is best to plant laurel in partial shade and well-drained soil. I also add some mulch to keep the soil cool and moist. Once your bush blooms (which usually happens in late spring or early summer), remove spent flower clusters and prune branches. According to the USDA Forest Service, laurel is a very poisonous plant if ingested, and I recommend avoiding it if you have small kids, pets, or bees (since honey from this plant is toxic too).
I found out a lot about Mountain laurel from the following video:
Desert Rose Plant
As I read in a Spruce article, Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a slow-growing succulent native to Africa, Madagascar, and the Middle East. It has beautiful dark-pink trumpeting flowers and can be both an indoor and outdoor plant depending on where you live.
I planted a Desert rose plant in a pot and I keep it inside because it reminds me of a bonsai tree. If you live in zones 11 and 12, you can plant this unusual plant in your yard, too, as it will not be in danger of freezing. A word of warning, though – when outside, you have to prune Desert rose to control its size, as it can grow quite big when left unattended. Also, just like Mountain laurel, this is a toxic plant that should be kept away from kids and pets.
Fuchsia Flowers
According to a Martha Stewart article, Fuchia flowers can make quite an impact in your garden. They come in different colors, but the most common are pink and purple. You will have no problem recognizing these beauties thanks to their unique upside-down flower heads. They look amazing in hanging baskets!
An article published by the Fife Fuchia Society states that Fuchsia plants are half-hardy perennials. If you live in a warm, frost-free climate, they will grow continuously throughout the year for many decades. They generally thrive in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10.
In my experience, they are easy to grow and rewarding as long as you plant them in well-drained soil and keep them hydrated. They do not enjoy too much sun, so better choose a spot in the shade.
Balloon Flower
These beautiful and unusual flowers got their name due to their unopened buds resembling hot air balloons. This is why Vermont Garden Journal recommends growing these fun flowers with your kids. Children will enjoy pressing puffed-up pink and blue buds to see and hear them pop open into star-shaped blossoms.
According to the NC State Extension Gardener, Balloon flowers or Platycodon grandiflorus are best grown in well-drained, slightly acid soil and sunny or partially shaded areas. They do well in USDA growing zones 3 to 8. I grew mine from seed, but unfortunately, I ruined them when I tried transplanting them. Their roots are just too fragile! So, my advice is to plant them directly where you want them and avoid transplanting.
Daffodil
You know it’s spring when yellow daffodils bloom! Nothing heralds spring like these yellow beauties!
In the words of Marie Iannotti, a lifelong gardener, author of three gardening books, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator, daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are native to Europe and North Africa. They are one of the most popular and easy-to-grow spring-flowering perennials that symbolize renewal and hope.
The flowers with trumpet-shaped cups are typically yellow, but there are also white, orange, and even pink daffodils. They do very well within hardiness zones 3 to 9. You should best plant them in mid to late autumn in groups of three or up to a dozen bulbs. As advised by the Royal Horticultural Society, to grow healthy daffodils, you should choose large, firm bulbs with no signs of mold.
I must warn you that daffodils are toxic if ingested. According to Serkalem Mekonnen, a certified specialist in poison information at the National Capital Poison Center, all daffodil parts contain a toxic chemical, lycorine. On the bright side, they can help you get rid of moles, as they helped me.
Bells Of Ireland
According to Susan Mahr from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, regardless of their name, Bells of Ireland or shell flowers are native to western Asia, and you are thus most likely to see them in Turkey than in Ireland. The only association they have with Ireland is their green color and so they are a symbol of good luck.
In summer, this hardy annual produces unusual emerald green, funnel-shaped “bells,” surrounding tiny fragrant white flowers. I have not grown these beauties myself, but I saw them combined with other colorful flowers, and they make quite an impact. They make excellent cut flowers, too.
In the words of Jamie McIntosh, a Spruce magazine contributor and former feature writer for Organic Gardening at Suite101, Bells of Ireland are a hardy annual and can thus be grown as low as in USDA zone 2. You can grow them in zones 2-11. Unfortunately, they cannot survive freezing temperatures.
Snowdrop Tree
Even though they are common in my state of North Carolina, I first saw Halesia carolina or Snowdrop trees in full bloom while visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden. So, I’ll use their article as inspiration to better describe this fancy spring-flowering tree native to the Piedmont and southern Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. It is suitable for planting in zones 3 to 7.
Despite being called Snowdrop or Silverbell tree, this plant can be grown as a large, multi-stemmed shrub, too, depending on your preference. It features drooping clusters of white, bell-shaped, flowers that bloom in April, just before the foliage unfurls. The flowers are followed by unusual-looking winged fruits.
According to Jane Perrone’s article published in The Guardian, this North American native tree is best grown in moist soil. It likes the sun but can thrive in partial shade too. She advises patience and persistence since this tree takes at least a few years to start flowering.
Persian Lily
Persian lily is another beautiful flowering plant I first saw at the Missouri Botanical Garden. According to their article dedicated to this plant, Persian lily or Fritillaria persica is a bulbous perennial of the lily family native to Western Asia. It can be grown in zones 5 to 8.
For best results, plant this lily in deep, organically rich, well-drained soil and keep it moist. It loves the sun and can handle the heat. With a little bit of care, in spring, you will get to enjoy attractive racemes of plum purple to gray-green, bell-shaped flowers. Keep it safe from slugs and snails, as I’ve seen them destroy the foliage of many plants in the lily family.
Red Calyxes
If you are searching for an unusual plant for your garden, the University Of Florida suggests planting Red Calyxes or Roselle, also known as Florida cranberry. I have it in my garden, and I cannot tell you how much attention its attractive reddish-green foliage, yellow flowers, and bright red cup-like calyces attract. It is edible, too, so you can use it to make a tasty cranberry sauce alternative, jams, and teas.
Roselle is native to Central and West Africa, but it is grown worldwide. In the Caribbean, people use Red Calyxes to prepare a festive Christmas drink. If you choose to plant Roselle, you should do it in April or May, in zones 8 to 11, and you will be able to enjoy its flowers in about 4 to 5 months as long as you secure plenty of sunlight. To try the famous sauce, harvest the calyces in October or November when they get plump and tender.
I found a great video about harvesting Red calyxes:
FAQs On Bell-Shaped Flowers
Yes, I have found some references that say that the yellow bellflower is edible, though not commonly used in food. It’s non-toxic and it has been used in alternative medicine, too.
There are multiple plants with white bell-shaped flowers. Fuchsias commonly have white flowers, though they can be other colors. Datura can also be white. Lily of the Valley also has clusters of small, white bell-shaped flowers.
Yes, this isn’t a myth! Bluebell leaves and the rest of the plant contain toxic glycosides. These can cause a low pulse rate, nausea, and other symptoms. Not only are they poisonous to humans, but you also need to keep your pets from ingesting them, too.
Bell-shaped flowers are versatile and can be incorporated into many garden types, including cottage gardens, woodland gardens, rock gardens, and perennial borders. Their unique shape and variety of colors make them an attractive addition to any garden design.
While specific growing conditions may vary depending on the species, most bell-shaped flowers thrive in well-draining soil with adequate moisture. Some prefer full sun, while others may need partial shade, especially during hot afternoons. It is essential to research the specific needs of the plant species you choose.
Bell-shaped flowers generally require the same care as other garden flowers: regular watering, occasional fertilizing, and deadheading or pruning to promote new growth and flowering. However, some species may have specific needs, so it’s important to research your chosen plant for the best results.
Yes, many bell-shaped flowers can be grown in containers, making them suitable for patios, balconies, and small gardens. Be sure to choose a container with adequate drainage and use a high-quality potting mix. Some suitable bell-shaped flowers for container gardening include Campanula, Fuchsia, Lily of the Valley, and Penstemon.
Bell-shaped flowers can be paired with a variety of companion plants to create visual interest and support a healthy garden ecosystem. Good companion plants include:
– Hostas: With their attractive foliage, hostas complement bell-shaped flowers like Fritillaria and Lily of the Valley, which thrive in similar shady conditions.
– Ferns: Ferns add a delicate texture to the garden and pair well with woodland plants like Erythronium, Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley), and Scilla.
– Heuchera (Coral Bells): Heuchera is valued for its colorful foliage and works well as a companion to many bell-shaped flowers, especially in shaded areas.
– Lavender: With its gray-green foliage and purple blooms, lavender complements bell-shaped flowers like Camassia and Galtonia while providing contrasting shapes and colors.
– Roses: Roses can provide a stunning contrast in both color and form when planted near bell-shaped flowers like Fritillaria, Camassia, and Erythronium.
The blooming period for bell-shaped flowers varies depending on the species. Some, like Bluebells and Lily of the Valley, bloom in spring, while others, such as Campanula and Yellow Bells, flower throughout the summer. Research your chosen plant to determine its specific blooming period.
Propagation methods for bell-shaped flowers depend on the plant species. Common methods include:
– Seed sowing: Collect seeds from mature plants or purchase them from a reputable source. Sow seeds according to the specific plant’s requirements.
– Division: Many perennial bell-shaped flowers can be divided in early spring or autumn to create new plants.
– Cuttings: Take stem cuttings from healthy plants and root them in a well-draining medium, such as a mix of perlite and peat moss.
Like all plants, bell-shaped flowers can be susceptible to pests and diseases. Common issues include aphids, slugs, snails, and fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or rust. Keep your garden clean and well-maintained to prevent most problems, and address any issues promptly with appropriate treatments.
Some bell-shaped flowers, like Camassia and Daffodils, grow from bulbs, while others, like many species of Campanula, grow from tubers or rhizomes. When planting bulbs or tubers, I’d recommend following the specific guidelines for each plant species, including proper planting depth and spacing.
Concluding My Bell-Shaped Flowers List
Have you enjoyed my list of the best bell-shaped flowers? Have I covered any flowers that are suitable for your yard? I wanted to make sure you know what options you have for bell-shaped flowers. Gardening like this pleases both humans and nature.
Want to know more? Head over to this handy post about growing a flower garden.
BTW, did you know that some of the weeds have beautiful bell-shaped flowers as well? And they are not just beautiful but useful? Head over to my post about these wonderful weeds!
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and share the article if you’ve enjoyed it!
