Weed of the Month: Creeping Bellflower
 | Author:
Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent |
Weed of the Month: Creeping Bellflower
Allison Kosto
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
Don’t let this plant fool you. Creeping bellflower is pretty, but it will take over your garden and then sneak into your lawn. It is also known as rover bellflower or rampion bellflower.
Description & Habitat
Native to Eurasia, creeping bellflower was brought to the United States as an ornamental plant. The leaves, shoots and roots of this plant are edible and once grown for culinary purposes. It is often found near older homes or abandoned homesteads. It quickly escaped the gardens to become an invasive weed, especially in the northern parts of the United States and Canada. It invades pastures, fields, riparian areas, roadsides and lawns. It prefers moist areas and grows in sun or shade.
Creeping bellflower is a perennial plant (life cycle of more than two years). It can grow 1 to 3 feet tall with multiple flowering stems. Its lower leaves are heart-shaped and upper leaves are narrower. It has nodding, bell-shaped flowers that are blue-lavender in color. Flowers are found on one side of the upper third of the stem and continue to develop throughout the summer. It has a rhizomatous root system that sends out lateral roots where more plants can develop. It also has a taproot that can go over 12 inches deep. New plants can sprout from root fragments.
It’s the root system that makes this plant very difficult to control. Even the smallest root fragments can regenerate which is why it's virtually impossible to eliminate the plant by cultivation or digging out plants. When left alone, it can take over garden beds and move into lawns. It can easily withstand mowing, although will not flower, and can carpet the ground under the right conditions.
Management
The best strategy is to prevent it from getting established. It can still sometimes be found through nurseries and seed companies. Sometimes they warn it can be invasive and sometimes they don’t. Don’t take the chance.
Once established, creeping bellflower is very difficult to impossible to eliminate completely. Digging, pulling and tilling is not effective due to the extensive root system and can actually aid in spreading the plant further. Mowing and burning will not kill it but may weaken the plant and be effective when combined with other control methods such as herbicides. Grazing is typically not practical where this plant is found and would likely not be effective anyway. Even deer tend to avoid this plant. Mulches, at least 4 inches thick, may slow down the plant and keep it from getting established in new areas.
Herbicides can be effective but should be used cautiously. Creeping bellflower has shown resistance to 2,4-D. One strategy is to use a nonselective herbicide like Roundup. Although it will kill all vegetation, it gives you a chance to start with a clean slate. Selective herbicides are also an option but may require repeated applications to exhaust the root system. The most effective broadleaf herbicides are dicamba products such as Banvel. Tordon is also effective but contains a residual and it will be difficult to plant broadleaf plants back in that area for several years. It also should not be used next to water or areas with a high water table. Always read and follow the entire label when applying herbicide. Common chemical names are used for clarity but do not imply endorsement of a product or brand.
For assistance on weed identification and management, contact the MSU Extension Office in Broadwater County at 406-266-9242.
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PhotoCredit: Allison Kosto Photo
Image 1 Caption: Creeping Bellflower Bugwood
Allison Kosto Photo
