Canterbury bells

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a plant, Campanula medium, cultivated for its showy, bell-shaped violet-blue, pink, or white flowers in loose clusters.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Canterbury bells¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

If you want to get up close and personal with blankets of goldfields, Canterbury bells, filaree and other native plants, your best bet is to take a hike.

From Los Angeles Times

They got close in 2013, engineering a “bluer-colored” one by splicing in a gene from Canterbury bells, which naturally make blue flowers.

From New York Times

Noda and his colleagues found that genes from the Canterbury bells and butterfly pea altered the molecular structure of the anthocyanin in the chrysanthemum.

From Nature

The flowers last the longest and are brighter than other area species, such as baby blue eyes, arroyo lupine, caterpillar phacelia and Canterbury bells.

From Los Angeles Times

Low-growing zinnias in futuristic colors, high phlox in pastel colors; higher, Canterbury bells, deep blue; highest of all, hollyhocks, wine red.

From Project Gutenberg