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Azorina vidalii (Azores Bellflower) - A small upright semi-succulent branching subshrub that grows to 18 inches tall by an almost equal width with a candelabra form. It develops woody stems and branches in whorls bearing crowded shiny glossy-green spathulate leaves in clusters toward the branch tips - older leaves drop off to expose succulent lower stems. In mid-summer the plant is topped with 1- to 2-foot-long panicles of 1 inch long, nodding bell-shaped flowers, which are a beautiful shell-pink color and have with a thick waxy texture.
Plant in full coastal sun to medium shade in a well-drained soil and water regularly to only occasionally. Does not like overly humid conditions or wet heavy soils - great for dry shade. Often listed as very tender but can tolerate short-duration temperatures below freezing. It is short lived as flowering stems die but sets abundant seed and can persist in gardens by reseeding - plants begin flowering their third year from seed.
Azorina vidalii, previously known as Campanula vidalii, was discovered on a rock off the east coast of Flores Island in the Azores in 1842 by a Captain Vidal and named with the genus noting where it came from and the specific epithet honoring its discoverer. We grew this unusual plant from 2003 to 2009.
Information displayed on this page about Azorina vidalii is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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