This plant known as Canterbury bells is a biennial plant that has been popular for many years in European and North American landscapes. Canterbury bell is a medium-sized specimen with an upright plant form.


Basic plant information

The botanical name:   The botanical name is Campanula medium.

The common name:    The common names are canterbury bells, cups and saucers.

The plant type:   The plant is biennial.

The mature size of the plant: The mature size of the plant is about 20 to 26 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide.

The plant sun exposure: The plant need full sun to partial shade.

The soil type: Canterbury bells do well in a rich well-drained soil.

The soil pH:  This plant prefers neutral to slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil.

The bloom time: The bloom time is early summer.

The flower color: The flower colors are white, purple, pink and blue.

The native area:  The native area is southern Europe.



Steps on how to grow Canterbury Bells

This particular plant is Indigenous to the Mediterranean climate of southern Europe. The plant also does poorly in the humid climate of regions such as the southeastern United States.

This plant is a biennial plant that takes 2 years to bloom, after that time it will die. One of the best ways to grow a crop of them is to start them by seed. Below is how to start:

        1. Just make sure you sow the seed in a tray filled with potting soil in late winter.

       2. You can sprinkle a light covering of vermiculite over the seeds.

       3. You can use a spray bottle full of water to spray the vermiculite lightly to keep it evenly moist but not soggy.

       4. Make sure you maintain a consistent temperature of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

       5. Immediately the seedlings emerge (3 to 4 weeks), make sure you put the tray in a sunny window and keep the soil evenly moist.

       6. You can begin to hardening off the seedlings in mid-spring.

       7. You can then transplant the seedlings into the spot in the garden that you have selected for them immediately the danger of frost has passed.

       8.  In the first year you will have only leaves, then the next year you will have flowers.


The light requirement: This plant will survive in partial shade, but the plant does better when planted in full sun.


The soil: Make sure you mix compost into the ground where you plant your Canterbury bells. Doing this will not only increase fertility but it will also improve the soil drainage.

The water requirement: Make sure you water regularly during the growing season. The most important thing is to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

Fertilizer application: Make sure you fertilize in late spring with a balanced fertilizer. Also hose down the soil thoroughly afterward to ensure the fertilizer goes down to the roots.



Some of the varieties of Canterbury Bells

The following are the varieties of Canterbury bells;

        1. The Campanula medium variety: The Campanula medium variety is about 24 to 36 inches tall, it has white flowers.

       2. The Campanula medium Bells of Holland variety: The Campanula medium Bells of Holland variety is about 18 inches tall. This plant has white, purple, pink flowers.

       3. The Campanula medium Champion Pink variety: The Campanula medium Champion Pink variety is about 2 feet tall, it has pink flowers.

      4. The Campanula medium Dwarf Bella Mix variety: The Campanula medium Dwarf Bella Mix variety is about 14 inches tall. It has pink, blue, lilac, or white flowers.

      5. The Campanula medium Double Melton Mix variety: The Campanula medium Double Melton Mix variety is about 3 feet tall. It has flowers that are light pink, dark pink, or purple.


Some of the common pests and diseases

Some of the common pests and diseases are mites, aphids, snails, slugs, powdery mildew, and rust. For the sake of the height of the plant you can provide support by staking it.

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