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Canterbury Bells Campanula punctata

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Canterbury Bells:

Previously known as:

  • Campanula takesimana
Phonetic Spelling
kam-PAN-yoo-luh punk-TAH-tah
Description

Spotted bellflower, is an upright, clump-forming perennial in the Campanulaceae family.  This showy plant is native to Sibera, China, and Japan.  The Latin name for the genus Campanula means "bell" and punctata means "spotted" refering to the shape and markings inside the showy pink flowers.

This plant typically grows 1 to 2 feet tall bringing interest to the garden as it flowers in the late spring or summer.  Plant in well-drained soil and in full sun to partial shade (though in warm southern summers, it prefers partial shade). To propagate this plant, divide its clumps every three to four years in the fall, or with adequate growing conditions, it will self-seed and spread by rhizomes itself.

The flowers and leaves are used as potherbs. Plant it in mass or small groups to take advantage of its large showy flowers.  It is at home in woodland borders, rock or cottage gardens as an accent plant, or let it naturalize.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant has few insect and disease problems.  It can spread aggressively.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Rock Wall Garden at Scott Arboretum
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cherry Bells'
    A spotted bellflower cultivar that features pendulous cherry-red bells.
  • 'Pink Chimes'
    A cultivar noted for its pink flowers, strong flowering stems and compact form
'Cherry Bells', 'Pink Chimes'
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#edible flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#aggressive#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#edible roots#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#edible leaves#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#small group plantings#weed#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cherry Bells'
    A spotted bellflower cultivar that features pendulous cherry-red bells.
  • 'Pink Chimes'
    A cultivar noted for its pink flowers, strong flowering stems and compact form
'Cherry Bells', 'Pink Chimes'
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#edible flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#aggressive#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#edible roots#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#edible leaves#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#small group plantings#weed#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Campanula
    Species:
    punctata
    Family:
    Campanulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Sibera, China, Japan
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer
    Edibility:
    The leaves and roots are edible, and this plant is a delicacy in Korea (where the plant is called 'do-ra-jee'). While the roots are edible in a variety of ways (raw, dried, or cooked), they are very small which may be hard to cook with. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads and can taste anywhere from mild to sweet to even bitter depending on the season (bitter flavor happens generally mid-summer).
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Cup
    Star
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    White to pale pink flowers (with purple spots inside) bloom for a long time, from late spring through summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has green, velvety, heart-shaped to oval leaves in basal rosettes.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Edible Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Weedy