Campanula medium

Canterbury bells, Cup and saucer

Campanulaceae Edible: Leaves, Roots, Flowers 2,098 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Campanula medium, common name Canterbury bells, is an annual or biennial flowering plant of the genus Campanula, belonging to the family Campanulaceae. In floriography, it represents gratitude, or faith and constancy.

Description

They grow over 2 years. They grow 45-90 cm high and spread 30 cm wide. The leaves occur in rings or rosettes. The leaves are sword shaped and have teeth. In the second year the plants send up slender stalks with spikes of bell shaped flowers. The flowers can be white, pink or purple. The flowers can be single or have a larger coloured cup around them.

Edible Uses

Young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked. The root is edible cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It needs full sun. It can grow in average soils. In the tropics it is grown at high altitudes. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Where It Grows

Australia, Britain, Belgium, Central Asia, Europe, Hawaii, Monaco, Pacific, Tajikistan, USA,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most fertile well-drained soils, though it prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade. A very ornamental plant, it is often grown in the flower garden and there are many named varieties. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true. The plants are self-fertile. Plants usually self-sow in British gardens. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation

Seed is best sown in an outdoor seedbed in May. Transplant seedlings when large enough and move them to their final positions in the autumn. Germination typically takes 2–4 weeks at 18°C.

Other Uses

Green and pale blue dyes can be obtained from the flowers.

Production

Plants are slow growing.

Notes

There are about 300 Campanula species.

References (6)

Burnie, G. (Ed.), 2003, Annuals and Bulbs. The Gardener's Handbooks. Fog City Press. p 134
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 320
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 58
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Sp. pl. 1:167. 1753

Show all 6 references