1 named cultivar

‘Deep Blue’Canterbury Bells

perennial

Canterbury Bells

The Story

Plant Bio

Campanula medium, Canterbury bells, is an upright clumping biennial from southeastern France and northern Italy, one to three feet in flower. A rosette of long lance-shaped serrated leaves forms in the first year, and in the second tall stems carry large inflated bell flowers one to three inches across in blue, pink, purple or white.

It is a biennial, so a plant bought or sown this year flowers next year and then dies — the commonest disappointment with it is expecting a repeat. Sow every year to keep a succession going, or let it self-sow. The bells are among the largest in the genus and are excellent cut, lasting well in water.

Uses & Benefits:

Large inflated bells on tall stems in early summer, in clear blues, pinks and white.

An excellent and long-lasting cut flower, and beekeepers value it as a honey source.

Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all work the deep bell flowers.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

30 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Biennial

Native To

Southeastern France to northern Italy

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Sow in early summer for flowers the following year.
Give it full sun or dappled shade and drained soil.
Plant out in autumn where they are to flower.
Stake tall stems in exposed positions.
Sow again each year for a continuous succession.
Let a few plants seed themselves.

Pro Tip

It is a biennial, so sow a fresh batch every summer — one year of sowing gives one year of flowers and then nothing.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Sow fresh seed every summer 📆
Give it sun or dappled shade ☀️
Stake tall stems if exposed 🪝
Cut the bells for the vase ✂️

Don't

Expect it to return after flowering ❌
Plant it in heavy wet soil ❌
Deadhead every stem if you want seedlings ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant Out
Sow

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Cottage garden and mixed borderCutting garden for tall bell stemsContainers for the compact strains

Companion Plants

Foxglove DelphiniumHardy Geranium Lady's Mantle Sweet William

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Canterbury Bells questions

What zones can Canterbury Bells grow in?

Canterbury Bells is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Canterbury Bells deer resistant?

Yes — Canterbury Bells is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Canterbury Bells bloom?

Canterbury Bells typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Canterbury Bells need full sun?

Canterbury Bells does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.