Color:

Canterbury Bells

Campanula medium

Biennial

Large bell-shaped flowers on tall spikes. Cottage garden classic. Also called cup and saucer flower. Named for cathedral bells. Romantic and nostalgic. Symbol of constancy.

Bloom Season

Summer

Habitat

Temperate

Where to Buy

Find local florists carrying Canterbury Bells

Where are you located?

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Perfect For

Wedding

Care & Vase Life

Stays fresh for 7 to 10 days

when properly cared for

Cut when lower flowers are open and upper buds are colored

Remove lower leaves and place in deep water

Keep in a cool location away from direct sun

Support tall stems with a narrow-necked vase

Change water every 2-3 days

Remove spent lower bells

Flowers open from bottom up

Lasts 7-10 days

Fragrance Profile

No Scent

Canterbury Bells have no fragrance

Fun Facts

Named after the bells carried by pilgrims to Canterbury Cathedral

Referenced by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales

The cup-and-saucer variety has a double bloom resembling teaware

A favorite in cottage gardens since the medieval period

Origin & History

Native to Southern Europe

Native to southern Europe, Canterbury Bells have been cultivated since medieval times. They earned their name from their resemblance to the bells carried by pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral in England. They were a staple of monastery gardens and remain beloved in traditional cottage gardens.