Campanula medium

Canterbury bells — a stately cottage-garden biennial bearing tall spires of large, cup-and-saucer bells in blue, violet, pink and white.
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  • Canterbury Bells Mixed seeds (Campanula medium) – biennial mix Canterbury Bells Mixed (Campanula medium) – biennial mix seeds from SeedsChoice
    Canterbury Bells Mixed Seeds Campanula Medium Biennial
    €4,45

    Canterbury bells for classic cottage borders canterbury bells mixed seeds are a popular choice for gardeners who want traditional, bell-shaped blooms with a romantic, old-fashioned look. This canterbury bells biennial flower forms sturdy, upright stems...
  • Canterbury Bells seeds (Campanula medium) – biennial mix Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium) – biennial mix seeds from SeedsChoice
    Canterbury Bells Seeds Campanula Medium Biennial Mix
    €4,45

    Classic biennial blooms for cottage style borders canterbury bells seeds are a traditional choice for gardeners who love tall, bell-shaped flowers and a romantic, old-fashioned look. This mix is grown for its single, cup-like bells...
  • Canterbury Bells Double Flowered seeds (Campanula medium) – biennial flower Canterbury Bells Double Flowered (Campanula medium) – biennial flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Canterbury Bells Seeds Campanula Medium Biennial Double Flowered
    €4,95

    Double-Flowered Canterbury Bells for Cottage Borders canterbury bells seeds are a classic choice for traditional borders, bringing tall stems topped with richly filled, bell-shaped blooms. This double-flowered selection of Campanula medium is valued for its...
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Campanula medium — Canterbury bells

Campanula medium is the botanical name for Canterbury bells, a stately cottage-garden biennial bearing tall spires of large, cup-and-saucer bells in blue, violet, pink and white. It is the species behind our Canterbury bells and wider campanula planting within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to southern Europe, Canterbury bells have been grown in gardens for centuries and are steeped in old cottage-garden tradition, their common name linked to the bells carried by medieval pilgrims travelling to Canterbury. They remain a romantic, old-fashioned border favourite.

The genus name Campanula comes from the Latin for "little bell," describing the flower shape, while the species epithet medium was an old herbalists' name once applied to the plant.

Botanical characteristics

A hardy biennial reaching around 60-90 cm, it forms a leafy rosette in its first year, then sends up robust, well-clothed flower spikes the following early summer, the large bells often backed by a flared calyx in the classic cup-and-saucer forms. The nectar-rich bells are much loved by bees, placing it among our pollinator flowers, while its height and substance suit it to cottage borders and our biennial flowers.

Growing Campanula medium from seed

Sow in late spring to early summer to flower the following year, pressing the fine seed onto the surface and keeping it warm and bright. Grow on and plant out in autumn into sun or light shade in fertile, well-drained soil; stake taller spikes and deadhead to prolong the display. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow Canterbury bells? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Campanula · Biennial Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · Cut Flowers · All Flower Seeds

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What is Campanula medium?
It is the botanical name for Canterbury bells, a hardy cottage-garden biennial famous for its tall spires of large, bell-shaped flowers. Is it a biennial?
Yes — it forms a leafy rosette in its first year and flowers the following early summer, so sow one year to bloom the next. When should I sow the seed?
Sow in late spring to early summer to flower the following year; press the fine seed onto the surface and keep warm and bright. Are Canterbury bells good for bees?
Very — the nectar-rich, open bells are a favourite of bees throughout their early-summer flowering.