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USES

Growing and Saving the Seed of Canterbury Bells

Latin name Campanula medium is typically a biennial (sometimes will bloom in the first year) flower native to southern Europe. Hardy from USDA zones 4-8. In the first year the plants will produce a short rosette of foliage, with no flowers. They will bloom in their second year of growth.

HISTORY

Native to southern Europe, this plant is naturalized across Europe and in parts of North America as well. A popular cottage garden choice, the bells are shaped like little drinking glasses and make a superb cut flower. In the language of flowers, Canterbury Bells signify gratitude.

USES

Ornamental
Landscaping, beds, borders, cottage garden, cut flower garden

Seeds germinate in 14-21 days.
Surface sow seeds and very lightly press them into the soil or cover with a super thin layer of vermiculite or fine potting soil, as the seeds require light in order to germinate.
Start seeds indoors in spring or directly sow them in the garden.
Ideal germination temperature is 72-75 F.
Do not allow seeds to dry out until germinated.

Campanula prefers rich, well-drained soil and full sun to part shade.
This European native likes temperate conditions, so if you live in a very hot summer location, plant in a location with afternoon shade.
Space plants 10 inches apart.
Plants should be dead-headed.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Typically pest-free, Canterbury Bells will reach up to 3 feet tall in their second year and may require staking to support their long, slender stalks.

Seed saving is easy: simply allow blooms to fade on the plant and collect the dried seeds. You can sow these seeds in late summer, allowing them to stratify over winter.

Canterbury bells

A biennial of upright growth, with a basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves to 15cm long and a leafy stem bearing broadly bell-shaped, blue, pink or white, single or double flowers in summer

Other common names

Canterbury bell
Coventry bells
see more Coventry rapes
cup and saucer
fair-in-sight
gingerbread bells
mariettes
Mercury’s violets
St Thomas’s bell
lady’s nightcap

Synonyms

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Size

Ultimate height

Time to ultimate height

Ultimate spread

Growing conditions

Moisture

pH

Colour and scent

Autumn
Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring	Green
Summer	Blue Pink White	Green
Winter

Position

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Hardiness

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 – 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 – 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates ( < -20)

Botanical details

Family Campanulaceae Native to the UK No Foliage Deciduous Habit Bushy Genus

Campanula may be annuals, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, with bell or star-shaped, often blue, flowers in late spring or summer

Plant range S Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

It prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It will tolerate wide range of soil types if well-drained. Grow in sun or partial shade. Suitable for container cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Surface sow seeds from late spring to early summer. In milder areas sow directly in the autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Do not cut back after flowering if self-seeding is desired. However, removing of the spent flower spikes may encourage second flush of flowers

Pests

Vulnerable to slugs and snails