Canterbury bells: varieties, cultivation & care

Canterbury bells is considered the most beautiful flower in the bellflower genus. Here, you can learn everything you need to know about Canterbury bells.

Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) appears dainty and gentle. It differs from other bellflowers (Campanula) mainly by its bulbous flowers with tips that curve outward. These romantic flowers do their best for the perfect summer.

Canterbury bells looks beautiful in a bouquet of summer flowers. Their flowers look noble and are quite beautiful, not only when planted in the garden. Their flowers are also a worthy floral decoration for a special occasion such as a wedding.

Canterbury bells: origin and properties

Canterbury bells comes from the southern climes of Europe, more precisely from Italy and France. Unlike many other species of bellflower, it is biennial. In the first year it forms only long green leaves. Then, in the second year, stems reach up to 80 centimetres high, loaded with bell-shaped flowers. The flowering period begins in May and extends until July. The colour spectrum of the flowers ranges from white to various shades of pink and lavender to blue and deep purple. The flowers of Canterbury bells also attract many native butterflies and bees of all kinds, while rabbits and hares prefer not to nibble on this plant.

The most beautiful varieties

Canterbury bells’ flowers bloom in the most diverse shades between white and deep purple. Many varieties delight viewers with their delicate flowers, others are full and filled.

• ‘Champion Pink’: This pink flowering variety can grow up to 65 cm tall and likes damp conditions
• ‘Caerulea’: The ‘Caerulea’ variety likes full sun; its blue flowers are double with a second ring of petals; this makes it an absolute eye-catcher in your own garden
• ‘White double’: This variety is also double; its white flowers appear from May and persist into August
• ‘Blue Cups’: The flowers on the up to 75 cm high inflorescences of this variety shine in deep blue

Planting Canterbury bells

Canterbury bells need a sunny location. The soil should be well-drained, because the plant does not like waterlogging at all. It feels particularly comfortable at slightly alkaline or neutral pH. Peat-free potting soils such as our Plantura Organic Flower Compost are ideal as a substrate. Give the individual plantlets enough room to spread out, because Canterbury bells grow bushy. A planting distance of about 30-40 centimetres should be sufficient.

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If you grow the plant from seed, do not put them too deep under the ground. Canterbury bells are light germinators – that is, the young plantlets germinate better when the seeds get light. Simply place the seeds directly on the soil without covering them. However, since this also causes the seeds to dry out more quickly, it is important that they are kept moist. Simply slip a clear bag over the planter or gently spray the seeds with a little water periodically.

Care of Canterbury bells

The abundance of delicate flowers can make the stems become heavy. You should support these stems with a small branch or stick if possible, so that wind and weather do not damage them. If you want to extend the flowering period of your Canterbury bells, you should cut back withered flowerheads, so that the plant does not put all its energy into seeds and can bloom again. However, let a few seeds self-sow, so that you can still enjoy Canterbury bells in your garden for a long time.

To send the plant into the summer in the best possible way, you can provide it with a portion of our Plantura Flower Food in the spring. The slow-release effect of the fertiliser ensures that your Canterbury bells are supplied with all the important nutrients throughout the year.

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In the winter, the biennial plant usually does not need protection. However, if it starts getting too cold, a cover of brushwood will help it through the winter.