Freya Clustered Bellflower
Flower Description and Bloom Time
Star-shaped clusters of deep violet/purple flowers bloomed from June into July.
Foliage Interest — Color and Texture
Coarse, green foliage stayed healthy until later in the growing season when it turned brown and yellow in some evaluation sites.
Habit and Growth Rate Observations
Plants ranged in size from 13 to 18 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide. While some plants remained sturdy, others flopped and grew slowly throughout the season.
Site Preference — Soil and Light
Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Successes and Possible Drawbacks
When in flower, the plant wowed evaluators with its deep purple flower clusters. After blooming, the foliage browned and turned yellow on some plants. To clean up the plant after blooming, evaluators recommended removing all the stems down to the basal foliage, the leaves closest to the ground and crown of the plant.
Notes from Growers/Retailers
N/A
Good Combinations
If you try this plant, pair it with other sun-loving perennials such as Coreopsis, Echinacea, Liatris and Stachys.
Parting SHOT — The overall evaluation results were poor. **
Three evaluators trialed this plant from 2012 to 2015 in the western suburbs of Chicago and in northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border. Although the plant is rated for Zones 3 to 8, most of the nine trial plants were dead by the third year. Problems with lack of flowers or foliage that was unsatisfactory accounted for the low ratings.
