View Larger Canterbury Bells

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    5 5 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 5 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

    Canterbury bells are a common sight in cottage gardens. Their bright purple flowers add a richness of color to the pastels of late spring and early summer. They are a short-lived perennial and often need to be replanted.

    Latin Name

    Campanula medium


    Family

    Campanulaceae


    Also Known As

    Bellflower , Glass Flower


    Type of Plant

    Perennials Perennials

    Bloom Season

    May - July


    Seasons

    Spring Spring
    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 3'
    Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

    Uses

  • Annual
  • Flower Border

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Deer

  • Colors


    Native Range

    Southern Europe


    History

    George French of Fredericksburg, Virginia offered seeds of these for sale in January of 1799.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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