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ShrubsConservatory Greenhouse

Gloxinia perennis

Canterbury bells

A bushy, tender, rhizomatous perennial to 1.2m, bearing glossy, toothed leaves to 20cm long, suffused red below. From early summer to mid-autumn it produces purple-blue, bell-shaped flowers with violet bases

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Gesneriaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Panama to Peru

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a humus-rich potting compost in bright indirect light with high humidity. When in growth water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 or 3 weeks.

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 19-24°C in spring, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, tarsonemid mite and western flower thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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