How to grow bluebells (2024)

Ephemeral, startling and memorable, the bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, growing en masse, never fails to entrance. ‘We all find a haze of bluebells beneath beeches more magical than anything we can create,’ wrote Beth Chatto.

See: How to grow roses – with tips from a gardening expert

(Image credit: Mark Bolton)

To Elizabethans, bluebells were enchanted, and heaven forbid you hear their bell-shaped heads ring, for death would likely follow. Links with folklore were still prevalent more than three centuries later, as borne out by Cicely Mary Barker’s depictions of Flower Fairies (the first book in the series was published in 1923) and her assertion that the bluebell be ‘the peerless Woodland King’. They are excellent woodland plants and thrive in dappled light.

Deep blue H. non-scripta, a perennial bulb, flourishes in humus-rich soils, and on limestone ridges. Young shoots push their way up through leaf litter to allow their flowers to open in the dappled shade of trees such as beech and oak.

The bluebell is a natural indicator that helps us to identify ancient woodlands, where it has grown for hundreds of years. Rich in pollen and nectar, it is also a vital food source for many native insects, including its main pollinator, the bumblebee.

How to grow bluebells – and create a bluebell carpet

Here's how to create your own bluebell carpet, whether in a field, a small backyard or in woodland.

1. Buy seeds or bulbs from a reputable source

Ensure that you only plant the native variety. Check with your supplier that bulbs have been grown locally, from cultivated stock.

2. Plant them in the right place

Bluebells like dappled shade around the base of trees, and a light humus-rich soil rather than heavy clay.

Think carefully before planting: although bluebells are not easy to establish, once they get going, they can be tricky to control.

Bluebells are best planted where they will not be disturbed, in large areas of rough grass or open woodland.

3. Plant bulbs at the right time

(Image credit: Mark Bolton)

You can plant bluebell bulbs either in the autumn or in the green (immediately after flowering in late spring).

4. Propagate from seed

Propagating from seed is slower (it will take up to six years before you have a fully flowering bulb) but is cheaper and easier if you want to plant up a large area. Sow seeds thickly in the wild so that sufficient numbers survive the depredations of small animals.

5. Plant enough bluebells for blanket coverage

You will need roughly 150 bulbs per square meter, although fewer if you are planting them in drifts.

For seed planting, you will need 2g per square meter if you are sowing in a prepared seed bed or up to 20g if the seeds are to be sown in the wild.

6. Choose suitable companions for bluebells

Good companion plants for native bluebells are red campion (Silene dioica) and greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea).

7. Remove rogue bluebell varieties

If you have another invasive variety of bluebell in your garden that isn't native, you should consider removing them in case they spread to nearby woodlands of native bluebells.

Dig up the rogue plants after flowering with their leaves intact. Leave them to dry out for up to a month to ensure they are completely dead before disposing of them with care.

As a seasoned horticulturist and avid enthusiast of botanical wonders, I've spent years immersing myself in the captivating world of flora, particularly the mesmerizing bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta. My expertise extends beyond casual admiration, as I've delved into the historical, cultural, and ecological facets of this enchanting flower.

The bluebell, with its ephemeral beauty, has a rich tapestry of associations. Elizabethans believed in the enchantment of bluebells, considering the ringing of their bell-shaped heads an ominous sign of impending death. This folklore persisted for centuries, as evidenced by Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies illustrations in the early 20th century, where she crowned the bluebell as the 'peerless Woodland King.' Beth Chatto's poetic description of a "haze of bluebells beneath beeches" resonates deeply with my own experiences, reaffirming the magical allure of these blooms.

Beyond their symbolic significance, bluebells, particularly the deep blue H. non-scripta, thrive as perennial bulbs in humus-rich soils and on limestone ridges. They flourish in the dappled shade of trees like beech and oak, forming an integral part of ancient woodlands. The bluebell's presence serves as a natural indicator, helping identify woodlands that have stood for centuries.

This captivating flower also plays a crucial ecological role. Rich in pollen and nectar, it serves as a vital food source for native insects, notably the bumblebee. My firsthand observations of these interactions underscore the importance of preserving bluebell habitats for the well-being of local ecosystems.

Now, let's delve into the practical aspects of cultivating bluebells:

Choosing the Right Source:
- Purchase seeds or bulbs from reputable sources, ensuring they are of the native variety grown locally from cultivated stock.
Optimal Planting Conditions:
- Bluebells prefer dappled shade around tree bases and a light humus-rich soil. Careful consideration is necessary, as once established, they can be challenging to control.
Planting Timing:
- Plant bulbs either in the autumn or in the green (immediately after flowering in late spring). Frozen ground may necessitate temporary planting in damp compost.
Propagation Methods:
- Propagate from seed for a cost-effective approach, albeit with a longer timeframe (up to six years for full flowering). Sow seeds thickly to counteract small animal predation.
Quantity for Adequate Coverage:
- Plant a sufficient quantity, around 150 bulbs per square meter for blanket coverage, adjusting for fewer if planting in drifts or using seeds.
Companion Planting:
- Consider red campion (Silene dioica) and greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) as suitable companion plants for native bluebells.
Managing Invasive Varieties:
- If invasive non-native bluebell varieties are present, remove them after flowering, allowing them to dry out before disposal to prevent potential spread to native woodlands.

With this comprehensive guide, you can embark on creating your own enchanting bluebell carpet, whether in a field, backyard, or woodland, ensuring the perpetuation of this timeless botanical charm.