Stop the Spread of Creeping Bellflower

Walk through a Twin Cities residential neighborhood and you're likely to see this beautiful and problematic plant in many yards. Creeping bellflower is a nonnative species causing concern not just in the metro area, but around the state. Though its flowers look dainty and delightful, this plant can survive tough conditions and spread rapidly via seed dispersal and root propagation. Its hardiness and ability to form dense patches make creeping bellflower a formidable challenge for gardeners. 

From June to October, you'll recognize this plant by bell-shaped, five-pointed, blue-purple flowers on one side of the stalk. If you don't see blooms, look at the leaves at the base of the plant. These leaves will be heart-shaped with slightly hairy undersides and coarse-toothed edges. Creeping bellflower grows two to three feet tall and prefers areas with disturbed soil, like garden beds. 

You can support native plants and pollinators by removing creeping bellflower from your lawn and garden and planting native species. 

• Pull smaller patches by hand, making sure to collect every part of the roots and shoots to prevent regrowth. You may need to repeat this process a few times. 

• Remove plants before they start to seed. A single plant can produce up to 15,000 seeds! 

• Smother larger patches if creeping bellflower with newspaper or a tarp. 

• If you use chemical control, apply herbicides in the fall. Multiple treatments may be necessary; avoid native plants. 

For more information, visit extension.umn.edu/weeds/creepingbellflower