Harvest Bells is a native perennial wildflower of NC found in mesic to moist woods, marshes, bogs, stream banks and roadsides in the Gentianaceae family. Preference is for full or partial sun, and moist but well-drained soil. It often grows in sandy soil but will tolerate other kinds of soil, including fertile loam. It grows 8 inches to 2 ft tall with unbranched stems. In September, the bright blue to purple flowers appear in clusters atop stemless leaves to add fall interest to the garden. In warmer climates, it may boom into November. The leaves turn reddish-yellow in fall. Use in woodland or naturalised areas or mixed borders of moist sites. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soil. Leaves may yellow during drought.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The shiny green leaves are up to 3.5 inches long and 1.5 inches across. They are stemless with a prominent central vein.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
1.5 inch long tubular flowers are blue to lilac, often with vertical streaks of purple, green or white. They consist of 5 upright lobes that are closed or only slightly open at the top. They bloom in clusters from September to November.
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Capsules split into 2 sections, releasing numerous small seeds that can be dispersed by wind or water.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Light green or reddish stems are slender and smooth.