Milky Bellflower: A Mysterious Native Plant Worth Investigating
If you’ve stumbled across the name milky bellflower or its scientific name Gadellia lactiflora in your gardening research, you’ve discovered one of the more enigmatic plants in North American flora. This perennial forb presents an interesting case study for native plant enthusiasts, though it comes with some important caveats for gardeners.
What is Milky Bellflower?
Milky bellflower (Gadellia lactiflora) is a herbaceous perennial that belongs to the broader bellflower family. As a forb, it lacks woody tissue above ground and dies back to its roots each winter, returning with fresh growth in spring. The plant is also known by its botanical synonym Campanula lactiflora M. Bieb., which hints at its relationship to the more familiar campanula bellflowers.
Native Status and Geographic Range
Here’s where things get a bit complicated with this mysterious plant. Milky bellflower has a somewhat unusual native status – it’s considered native to Canada, particularly British Columbia, but is classified as a non-native species that has naturalized in parts of the United States. Currently, it’s been documented growing in British Columbia and New Hampshire, suggesting it can adapt to quite different climate conditions.
The Garden Dilemma: To Plant or Not to Plant?
This is where milky bellflower becomes particularly intriguing for gardeners. While it’s not listed as invasive or noxious, its extremely limited documentation and unclear taxonomic status make it a challenging plant to recommend wholeheartedly. The lack of readily available information about its growing requirements, wildlife benefits, and garden performance suggests this isn’t your typical garden center find.
What We Don’t Know (And Why That Matters)
Unfortunately, detailed information about milky bellflower’s specific needs remains elusive. Key unknowns include:
- Specific growing conditions and soil preferences
- USDA hardiness zones
- Mature size and growth rate
- Pollinator and wildlife benefits
- Propagation methods
- Wetland tolerance
A Word of Caution for Gardeners
Given the limited information available about Gadellia lactiflora, we’d recommend proceeding with caution. If you believe you’ve encountered this plant or are considering growing it, we suggest:
- Consulting with local botanists or native plant societies for proper identification
- Verifying the plant’s identity through herbarium specimens or expert confirmation
- Considering well-documented native alternatives from the bellflower family
Better-Known Native Alternatives
If you’re drawn to native bellflowers for your garden, consider these well-documented alternatives that offer similar charm with known garden performance:
- American bellflower (Campanulastrum americanum) – a tall, striking annual native to eastern North America
- Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) – a delicate perennial native across much of North America
- Southern harebell (Campanula divaricata) – perfect for woodland gardens in the Southeast
The Bottom Line
While milky bellflower presents an interesting botanical puzzle, its obscure nature and limited documentation make it a risky choice for most gardeners. Unless you’re working with a botanist or have confirmed access to properly identified plant material, you’ll likely have better success with well-documented native bellflowers that offer proven garden performance and known ecological benefits.
Sometimes the most responsible approach to native gardening is knowing when to choose the tried-and-true over the mysterious and uncertain. Your local wildlife and your garden’s success will thank you for it!
