Have you ever noticed flowers similar to bells? There are many with this aspect, but there are some in particular that are very beautiful. It is the plant known as Campanula medium, o Canterbury bell, very appreciated in the preparation of bouquets and in the florist’s shop.
If you want to know more about this precious vegetable, I recommend that you keep reading. In this post we will explain what is the Campanula medium and what care is required. I hope you find this information interesting!
What is Campanula medium?
Let’s start by explaining what is Campanula medium. Its name comes from Latin, a language in which “campanula” translates as “little bell”. It receives this name from the appearance of its flowers, which are reminiscent of bells. The word “medium” means “intermediate size”. Therefore, the reason why it is called Campanula medium it’s pretty obvious. It is also known as the Canterbury Bell, common lanterns, little pouts, viola marina and little pouts. This beautiful plant was first described by Carlos Linnaeus (Carl Von Linné), the modern father of botany, and published in his book Species of Palnta.
It is a biennial plant that It is part of the Campanulaceae family. and which normally inhabits very sunny slopes and rocky areas in the western Mediterranean. In addition, it is cultivated in many other parts of the world. It is erect and very branchy posture that can measure up to sixty centimeters long. The leaves of the Canterbury Bell can be alternate or basal and even slightly toothed. They are usually long, firm, and narrow. Their central nerve is very pronounced.
As for the flowers, they tend to be solitary and terminal, and have two to ten centimeters peduncles in the armpits that are in the upper area. They are generally somewhat inclined or hanging. The corolla is somewhat bulky and bell-shaped. The color is usually white or blue pulling purple. In addition, the flowers have a total of five short lobes that can be up to five centimeters long. It should also be noted that they have five stamens that have widened filaments and united anthers. It should be said that the Canterbury Bell produces capsule-shaped fruits, in which there are many small seeds.
Bloom
A notable aspect of the Campanula medium is its bloom. During the first year, it will do so in a plethoric way. What does this mean? Well, in the first flowering of this plant, during the most culminating period, its foliage will barely be visible. To obtain even more abundant, spectacular and long-lasting flowering, It is essential to remove those flowers that are withered. If we do, new ones will sprout copiously.
And when does the Canterbury Bell usually bloom? Although its natural flowering takes place in May, we can find this beautiful flower in stores even earlier. With proper care, its flowers will brighten our eyes until August. Since it is a plant with beautiful and very striking flowers, it is very common to find it in various floral bouquets. In addition, their flared appearance gives the bouquet a very distinctive touch.
Care of the Campanula medium
Now that we know what is Campanula medium, let’s see what care it requires, in case someone is considering growing it at home. At this point, it should also be noted that the stems placed in vases last a long time if they are in good condition. For this reason, this plant is widely used in flower shops. But let’s go now to the basic care of the Canterbury Bell:
- Luz: This vegetable needs sunlight throughout the day, not just for a while. If it gets too much shade, it will bloom considerably less.
- Temperature: It prefers rather warm temperatures. In the coldest time of the year, it is important to protect it from frost and low temperatures, until spring arrives.
- Agua: It is important that we take great care in watering and not overdo it, since too much humidity can have serious consequences for the Campanula medium. It is preferable that it supports a brief period of drought than an excess of water. So it’s important to water sparingly.
- Floor: We can grow this plant in a pot or directly in the garden soil, but the soil must be fertile.
- Fertilizer: It must be regular. It is best to use a special fertilizer for flowering plants.
- Pruning: When the first flowering season of the Canterbury Bell is over, it is best to remove the damaged and dried flowers and leaves by cutting directly into the bush.
What did you think of the Campanula medium? Without a doubt, it is a very beautiful and striking plant.
