Cup-and-saucer (Campanula medium, Sp. Pl.: 167 (1753))

Family: Campanulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 167 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Campanula

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. France to N. & C. Italy

Description

The Cup-and-saucer, scientifically known as Campanula medium, is a captivating herbaceous plant that belongs to the Campanulaceae family. It has its origins stretching from southeastern France to northern and central Italy, reflecting its adaptability to various temperate regions.

This beautiful biennial plant is renowned for its unique and elegant floral structure. The distinctiveness of the Cup-and-saucer lies in its blooms, which bear a striking resemblance to an ornate teacup resting on a saucer, hence the name. The flowers are bell-shaped and can come in shades of lavender, blue, pink, and white, often presenting a delicate and charming appearance in any garden setting.

Unique to the Campanula genus, Campanula medium typically grows to a height of about 60-100 centimeters, with a spread that makes it an excellent choice for borders and cottage gardens. Its flowering period usually spans from late spring to mid-summer, providing a prolonged burst of color during the warmer months.

The foliage of the Cup-and-saucer is also noteworthy; lush green leaves form a basal rosette in the first year, which supports the flowering stems arising in the second. The leaves are lance-shaped with slightly serrated edges, adding to the plant’s overall appeal.

In the garden, Campanula medium prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it benefits from regular watering, particularly in dry conditions, to keep its blooms vibrant and fresh.

Whether admired for its ornamental beauty or its historical roots, frequently referenced in horticultural literature since its first classification in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, the Cup-and-saucer is a cherished addition to any garden collection.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig ærteblomst, blå stregbælg, læge-stregbælg, marie-klokke, soyabønne
Eng: canterbury bells, canterbury-bells, cup-and-saucer, canterbury bellflower, canterbury-bell
Swe: fodergetruta, getruta, luktärt, maariankello, mariaklocka
Deu: marien-glockenblume
Fin: sojaböna, maariankello, rehuvuohenherne
Spa: campana
Fra: campanule carillon, campanule à grandes fleurs
Nob: mariaklokke
Nno: mariklokke
Ces: zvonek zahradní
Nld: mariëtteklokje, marietteklokje
Cym: clychlys caer-gaint, clychlys caergaint
En: Cup-and-saucer, Canterbury-bells, Canterbury bells, Canterbury bellflower, Canterbury-Bell
Hy: Զանգակածաղիկ միջին
Zh: Cai e zhong hua, 彩鐘花, 風鈴草
Kw: Klegh an kowr
Cs: Zvonek zahradní
Da: Almindelig ærteblomst, Blå stregbælg, Læge-stregbælg, Marie-klokke, Soyabønne
Nl: Mariëtteklokje, Marietteklokje
Fi: Maariankello, Sojaböna, Rehuvuohenherne
Fr: Campanule à grandes fleurs, Campanule carillon, Campanule à grosses fleurs, Carillon, Fausse Raiponce, Grande Campanule, Mariette, Violette de Marie, Violette marine, Campanule intermédiaire
De: Marien-Glockenblume, Marienglockenblume, Garten-Glockenblume, Großblumige Glockenblume, Marien-Glöckchen
Is: Sumarklukka
Ga: Plúrán cloigneach
It: Campanula toscana, Erba Media, Giulietta, Erba-media
Lt: Darželinis katilėlis
Ml: കാമ്പനൂല മീഡിയം
Nb: Mariaklokke
Nn: Mariklokke
Pl: Dzwonek ogrodowy
Ru: Колокольчик средний
Sk: Zvonček prostredný
Es: Campana, Campanilla, Farolillos, Campana de Canterbury, Pucheritos
Sv: Mariaklocka, Fodergetruta, Getruta, Luktärt, Maariankello
Zh-tw: 彩鐘花
Th: ระฆังแคนเตอร์บรี
Cy: Clychlys Caer-gaint, Clychlys Caergaint

Synonyms

• Sykoraea hortensis (Opiz)
• Campanula medium var. calycanthema (Nicholls)
• Campanula medium f. coerulea (Voss)
• Talanelis medium ((L.) Raf.)
• Marianthemum grandiflorum (Czerw. & L.Schwarz)
• Campanula medium f. rosea (Voss)
• Campanula bourdiniana (Gand.)
• Rapuntia media ((L.) Chevall.)
• Campanula medium f. alba (Voss)
• Campanula medium var. bourdiniana ((Gand.) Nyman)
• Campanula medium f. calycantha (Voss)
• Medium grandiflorum (Spach)
• Campanula medium f. caesia (Voss)
• Campanula medium f. striata (Voss)
• Marianthemum medium ((L.) Schur)
• Campanula florida (Salisb.)

Distribution

• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jun 13, 2018 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Mélissa Gallien (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2018 by Delphine Noncle (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2017 by Marco Leonardi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Marc BOUCET (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Béatrice Escande (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2019 by Botasy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Dorothy Thicket (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Lennaert Steen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2019 by Marikka Wörner (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 21, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude BOUZAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by gi be (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 16, 2021 by Michel Nialon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2020 by MICHEL DUSSERE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Caccini Stefano (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5411453)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:140670-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Campanula medium L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 4