A cottage backyard staple, Canterbury bells are beloved for his or her distinctive blossoms and dramatic, upright stems. Also called cup and saucer or Coventry bells, Campanula medium bloom in summer time, bringing wealthy shades of blue, purple, pink, and white to the backyard. Within the language of flowers, a present of Canterbury bells sends a message of gratitude. On this information, I’ll run by way of every little thing you should learn about Canterbury Bells flower that means, symbolism, well-liked varieties, makes use of, and important rising ideas.
Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium) – The Necessities:
| Plant Household: | Campanulaceae |
| Genus: | Campanula |
| Scientific Identify: | Campanula medium |
| Native Vary: | Europe and Asia |
| Colours: | Purple, blue, pink, white |
| Traits: | Bell-shaped flowers with lengthy, slender leaves |
| Mature Top: | 2 to three toes |
| Flowering Season: | Late spring to early summer time |
| Rising Zones: | 5 to eight |
| Daylight: | Full solar to partial shade |
| Watering: | Reasonable watering with well-draining soil |
| Soil: | Effectively-draining soil with common to excessive fertility |
| Fertilizing: | A few times throughout the rising season with a balanced fertilizer |
| Pests: | Could be inclined to slugs and snails |
| Pruning: | Deadheading can promote continued flowering |
| Symbolism: | Represents gratitude, help, or fidelity. |
About Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium)
Canterbury bells belong to the Campanula genus, which comprises about 500 species and sub-species, collectively known as bellflowers. These flowering vegetation are a part of the Campanulaceae or bellflower household, which incorporates virtually 2400 species throughout greater than 80 genera.
As their identify suggests, bellflower vegetation bloom with blossoms formed like little bells or cups. These blooms are often blue or purple however may additionally be pink or white. Canterbury bell flowers develop in panicles.
The vegetation attain as much as virtually three toes tall and a foot broad at maturity, which takes two years, as C. medium is a biennial. Within the first 12 months, Canterbury bells solely develop rosettes or clumps of inexperienced leaves with serrated edges. Within the second 12 months, the magic occurs when a stem emerges, and bell-shaped flowers seem. Flowers are long-lasting and might final from late spring by way of mid-summer.
C. medium is native to southern Europe. At this time, the vegetation have naturalized round northern Europe and in temperature areas of North America.
The Which means & Symbolism of Canterbury Bells
It’s straightforward to see the place Canterbury bells get (at the least half) of their frequent identify: from the bell-shaped flowers with a clapper-like stamen within the center. The “Canterbury” reference isn’t fairly as clear.
The flowers are native to southern Europe and are thought to originate from the Pyrenees area of France and Spain. Meaning they positively don’t originate from Kent, dwelling to the Canterbury Cathedral.
As a substitute, botanical data be aware that the vegetation had been possible launched to the British Isles on the finish of the sixteenth century. The flowers had been referred to as “Coventry Bells” for the subsequent century earlier than taking over the Canterbury moniker within the 1800s. To additional complicate issues, the Nineteenth-century horticulturalist Joseph Breck wrote that the vegetation had been often known as “Venus’s Trying Glass.”
No less than the plant’s scientific identify is straightforward to know. Campanula means “bell” in Latin.
Within the language of flowers, Canterbury bells are typically related to varied symbolic meanings. A present of C. medium might ship a message of gratitude, help, or fidelity. They’re an ideal method to let somebody know you’re pondering of them, to say thanks, or to acknowledge help.
Canterbury bells are topics of artwork and literature. Work by American artist Laura Coombs Hills, British artist Mary Elizabeth Stormont, and Australian artist Arthur Streeton — all of whom labored within the late Nineteenth and early twentieth centuries — painted Canterbury Bells. So did 18th-century Belgian watercolorist Pierre Joseph Redoute.
The flowers determine within the works of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, a poet from the 1800s. “The Canterbury Bell,” printed in 1837, makes use of the flowers as a metaphor for doomed love.
Makes use of and Advantages of Canterbury Bells
Canterbury bells have lengthy been cultivated throughout Europe and North America and are extremely valued as ornamentals. Florists recognize their long-lasting blossoms and candy, minty scent.
Although they’re not recognized to have frequent medicinal makes use of, younger C. medium shoots could be eaten uncooked or cooked, and the cooked roots could be eaten. The flowers are used to make inexperienced and blue dyes.
The bell-shaped flowers entice pollinators. Bees, moths, butterflies, beetles, and flies are all interested in Canterbury bells.
Develop Canterbury Bells
Develop Canterbury bells in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 by way of 8. Maintain humidity in thoughts, because the vegetation don’t develop as properly in heat, humid environments. Somewhat, they like cool, temperature climates.
When selecting a location to plant Canterbury bells, search for a website that receives full solar to partial shade. Select a spot that receives filtered gentle or afternoon shade in hotter areas.
Canterbury bells develop greatest in loamy, sandy, or silty soil wealthy in natural matter. Soil that’s moist but well-draining is greatest. The vegetation want impartial pH however also can thrive in barely acidic or alkaline soil. Goal for a pH degree from 6.0 to eight.0.
To develop Canterbury bells from seed, you’ll be able to sow instantly into ready nursery beds within the backyard in late spring or early summer time. Skinny the vegetation to about 12 to fifteen inches. Overwinter by overlaying it with a layer of mulch.
Alternately, begin vegetation indoors in late winter by sowing seeds into trays full of potting media. Scatter vermiculite over the seeds, then mist to maintain the trays moist.
Maintain the trays at a temperature between 65 and 70. When the seedlings emerge in a few month, place the tray in a sunny spot and preserve it evenly moist. Harden off the seedlings in mid-spring, then transplant them into backyard beds after frost hazard is over.
As Canterbury bells are biennials, stalks, and flowers will develop within the second 12 months. The vegetation can get top-heavy when flowering. Planting in teams will assist the vegetation help one another, however you may additionally want to make use of stakes in windy areas.
Canterbury bells are a stunning addition to flower beds and borders. If planted in rows, their 3-foot peak makes them a superb selection for the second row. Additionally they present a pop of colour when grown amongst shrubs. And, after all, they’re good for cottage garden-style landscaping.
Caring for Canterbury Bells
Canterbury bells could be inclined to pests reminiscent of slugs, snails, mites, and aphids. Maintain an in depth look ahead to these pests and deal with accordingly. Look ahead to illnesses reminiscent of rust and root rot. Enough air circulation and correctly draining soil will assist forestall these points.
To maximise blooms, water vegetation simply sufficient to maintain the soil moist however not soggy. Deadheading previous flowers encourages extra bloom manufacturing.
Shield these biennials over the winter by layering on a reasonable quantity of mulch.
Finest Companion Crops for Canterbury Bells
When selecting companion vegetation for C. medium, search for varieties that thrive in the identical situations: moist, wealthy soil, cooler temperatures, and dappled gentle to partial shade.
Good companion plantings might embody perennials reminiscent of phlox, violets, lamb’s ear, Woman’s mantle, columbine, and roses if you happen to’re making a cottage backyard. Tiny epimedium can thrive within the shady spots underneath Canterbury bells whereas climbing hydrangea supplies an ideal cool-toned backdrop.
Inventive Makes use of for Canterbury Bells
Canterbury bells are a beloved and conventional element of English cottage gardens. These lush, romantic landscapes developed within the 18th century as a response to the extra formal, symmetrical backyard design that was favored by the higher class.
As a substitute of flowers planted in straight rows and shrubs neatly trimmed into inflexible kind, cottage gardens overflow with colour, form, and measurement in a mimicry of the profusion present in pure landscapes. In such settings, Canterbury bells provide upright splashes of cool colours.
Their two to three-foot peak makes them an ideal selection for the center of the flower mattress or border. They appear pretty with different conventional cottage flowers reminiscent of hollyhocks, delphiniums, peonies, foxglove, and lavender.
In floral preparations, Canterbury bells add visible curiosity and a stunning perfume that may be described as candy and a bit minty. Their tall panicles stand out in a bouquet or vase. The lower flowers will keep recent for seven to 10 days so long as the water is modified often they usually’re saved out of sunny, drafty spots.
Canterbury Bells Flower Crafts
Canterbury bells are straightforward to press. Reduce the cup-shaped blooms, eradicating as a lot stem as you’ll be able to. Then flatten the blooms, beginning on the base and dealing up.
Place blossoms between two sheets of paper towels and form the flowers. Then place the towels inside a e book or flower press. Depart them in place for a few month, then test weekly till they’re absolutely dry.
Canterbury Bells FAQs:
How lengthy do Canterbury Bells bloom for?
Canterbury bells bloom from late spring by way of summer time.
What’s the supreme local weather for rising Canterbury Bells?
The vegetation develop in USDA hardiness zones 5 to eight. They like cooler temperatures and dislike warmth and humidity.
Can Canterbury Bells develop in containers or indoors?
You may develop Canterbury bells in containers so long as they’re well-draining. You can begin seeds indoors, however the vegetation needs to be moved outdoors in spring.
How usually ought to I water my Canterbury Bells?
Canterbury bells want moist, well-drained soil. Water often, however keep away from overwatering, and don’t let soil get soggy.
When is the most effective time of 12 months to plant Canterbury Bells?
Plant Canterbury bells seedlings within the floor after the hazard of frost has handed. Sow seeds open air in late spring or early summer time and indoors in late winter.
How can I defend my Canterbury Bells from pests and illnesses?
Guarantee vegetation aren’t overcrowded, as enough airflow is essential to stopping illness. Keep away from overwatering, as it will possibly result in root rot.
How can I prolong Canterbury Bells’ lifespan after being lower?
Change water ceaselessly. Maintain flowers away from warmth sources, direct solar, and drafts.
Wrapping Up
Canterbury bells have lengthy been beloved for his or her panicles of distinctive, bell-shaped blossoms atop upright stems. These summer time blooming biennials fill the cottage backyard with cool shades of blue, purple, pink, and white and are straightforward to take care of. In floriography, a present of Canterbury bells sends a message of gratitude and help.
Linsay is an American copywriter based mostly within the Pacific Northwest with a background in tutorial writing and analysis. Linsay holds Grasp’s diploma in each Anthropology and Library and Data Sciences and has written for quite a few nationwide and worldwide publications together with USA At this time, SFGATE, Hunker, and The Bump throughout an array of matters within the gardening, inexperienced dwelling, and journey sectors. When she’s not writing, you may often discover Linsay studying, kayaking, crusing, snowboarding, or working in her backyard.
