Tufted Bluebell - Wahlenbergia capillaris - Care Guide
Wahlenbergia capillaris! Often referred to as Tufted Bluebell, perennial herb is native to Australia. A common plant, you'll find it growing along roadsides occurring in all states and territories. It grows a beautiful bright purple, blueish flower.
You can expect this spectacular native to blossom with its gorgeous purple flowers in Spring through to early Summer. Its beautiful flowers are edible and can be added to salads or used to garnish cakes and baked items for an added floral flavour.
Quick Care
| Botanical Name | Wahlenbergia capillaris |
| Size Plant: | Seedling pot, min 20 cm tall |
| Frost Tolerance: | Frost Tolerant |
| Drought Tolerance: | Not Drought Tolerant |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained, sandy, loamy soils. |
| Sun: | Full-sun/Part-shade |
| Size: | 0.4m shrub. |
| Pots: | Does well in pots. |
| Feeding: | Feed a high-quality native plant food every 6 months. |
Planting
For best results, plant your Tufted Bluebell in well-drained, sandy loamy soils and place your plant in full sun. You can also grow in part shade for reasonable results. This dense shrub can attain a height of up to 0.4m and is the perfect plant for ground cover, as a feature plant, or as a border plant.
Frost tolerance
Tufted Bluebell is frost and shade tolerant. So if you live in a cooler climate like Melbourne keeping your plant alive shouldn't be an issue. However, in the Winter months make sure to keep it well protected.
Sunlight
This lovely species does well in full sun but it can also thrive in part shade.
Maintenance
Watering & Drought Tolerance
In warmer months Tufted Bluebell will die back in dry conditions and reshoot when moisture returns. During wintertime, you can hold back on watering but as the temperature increases ensure that you're keeping your plant well watered (up to 1 inch of water a week).
Fertilising your Tufted Bluebell
As a low-maintenance plant, Tufted Bluebell won't require much in the way of fertilising. We recommend feeding your plant every Spring with a dose of cow manure or organic fertiliser if you don’t have great soil.
Growing Tufted Bluebell in pots
Tufted Bluebell does well in pots. Keep it in a sunny spot on a balcony or backyard and use a high-quality potting mix without fillers or additives and add your own plant food for the highest success.