Bluebells are one of our most iconic species. If you stumble upon that familiar, yet magical, blue carpet of flowers, it may be also be a sign that you are in a precious ancient woodland.
Ancient woodlanddates back at least 400 years, is one of our most species-rich habitats and nowadays only covers about 2% of the UK’s land area. Protecting ancient woodland from the variety of threats it faces, from development to replanting with conifers, is one ofour top priorities.
Six reasons to grow native bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) in your garden
- Bluebells are one of the UK’s most loved wildflowers.
- They're easy to grow so you can recreate that amazing woodland bluebell carpet experience in miniature.
- You'll get a welcome splash of colour in April and May.
- Nectar-seeking insects like bees will lovethe early food source.
- It's a good plant for those tricky shady spots in the garden.
- They are quick to spread.
How to grow bluebells in your garden
It’s quicker to start with bulbs since seeds can take 4-5 years to reach flowering size. You can buy bulbs either in spring ‘in the green’ (during active growth) when it is believed they are more likely to establish successfully, or as dry bulbs at other times of the year.
Where to source your bluebells
Bluebells are legally protected and it is against the law to dig them up from the wild. Make sure you ask your garden centre, nursery or online supplier to confirm the bulbs are cultivated, not wild–collected and also that they are both sourced and grown in the UK. This reduces the risk of pest or diseases being imported from abroad.
If you’re buying plants that are in flower take a close look. The flowers of native bluebells are a vivid violet-blue colour and the arching stem of flowers is held on one side. See ouridentification tipsfor more help on what they look like.
Where to growbluebells
If we take a cue from their natural habitat it will be no surprise to learn that bluebells thrive in partial shade, under deciduous trees or shrubs and need moist but well-drained soil. I personally think they are at their most stunning when planted under silver birch trees, creating a ‘woodland in miniature’.
Enriching soil with leaf mould, manure or garden compost is oftenbeneficial. Bluebells also thrive when planted in grass, provided those areas are not mown until the leaves have fully died back each year.
Planting and care
- Plant ‘in the green’ bulbs at the same depth they were in the ground before (look for the junction where the foliage turns from white to green). Plant dry bulbs at least 10cm deep and space 10cm apart; ensure the pointed growing tip is facing upwards.
- For a more natural effect, plant small clumps of bluebells together with irregular spacing between clumps. You could also throw the bulbs across the planting area and plant them where they land.
- Water bulbs well after planting.
- Growth and flowering may not be brilliant the following year, while the plants re-establish. Be patient!
- After leafing and flowering each year, don’t cut the foliage off – the leaves use sunlight to make food which strengthens the plant for the following year.
- If you want to help your bluebells spread, lift and divide bulbs after flowering. If your bluebells thrive, spreading will also happen naturally via bulb division and seed.
- Dense clumps of bluebells may eventually out-compete more delicate spring plants or spread to the ‘wrong’ place in your garden. Removing heads after flowering will help prevent spreading and unwanted bulbs can be dug up during the growing season when they are more easily found.
Record bluebells for Nature’s Calendar
Whether you have bluebells in your garden or you’ve spotted some on a regular route, letting us know when it starts flowering is simple but vital information!
TheNature’s Calendarproject tracks the effects of weather and climate change on wildlife across the UK – its records date all the way back to 1736! Bluebells beginning to flower is one of 69wildlife species recorded for the project.
Join Nature’s Calendar to record your sightings – every record is crucial and valid. The data recorded helps us to better understand the effects of climate change and other patterns in the natural environment. By taking just a few minutes to share what you see, you'll be adding to hundreds of years' worth of important data. We couldn't do this work without you!
Visiting woods
Nature's Calendar
Help monitor the effects of climate change on wildlife near you. Your records contribute to a growing body of evidence on global warming.
Add your wildlife recordings