Spanish or native bluebell | The Wildlife Trusts (2024)

FAQs

How can you tell the difference between native and Spanish bluebells? ›

Native bluebells are a distinctive deep-blue in colour, whereas Spanish and hybrid-Spanish bluebells are often lighter, more pale blue or pink. Look also at the shape of the flowers, the native bluebell flowers curl back at the petal tips whilst those of the Spanish and hybrid-Spanish bluebells are splayed.

Cultural control. It is best to dig out bluebells while they are in leaf, as the bulbs are almost impossible to find when the plants are dormant: Loosen soil around the bulbs to a good depth and remove all the bulbs and underground parts.

Native bluebells are narrow in shape with rolled back tips. Spanish bluebells are more conical with open tips.

The plant spreads readily by seed and by underground runners which produce new bulbs. This species can hybridise with our native bluebell changing native population genetics. Both the Spanish bluebell and the hybrids are displacing native bluebells in their natural range.

Spanish bluebells spread by roots connecting the bulbs underground. This allows them to fill in great swaths of land and take over an area. If they come in contact with native English bluebells, the Spanish version will cross pollinate and come up the next season as a hybrid plant, stronger than the original parent.

For many bee species, the sustenance of Bluebells' nectar is vital during the early spring months. Bees are not the only wildlife which will be attracted by Bluebells in the garden – with the flowers also luring butterflies and hoverflies.

Or mix them with spring-blooming perennials such as bleeding heart, hellebore, or lungwort to add interest and texture to garden beds and borders. Spanish bluebells look right at home in woodland gardens, too—and they're charming companions for ferns, columbines, and other shade-loving favorites.

Plant the Spanish bluebell bulbs about 3-4” deep and 4-6” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up. Water well once and wait for spring. After the Spanish bluebells have bloomed don't cut off the foliage. Leave it until it's completely withered and yellow, then remove.

Spanish Bluebells are fragrant, shade-loving flowers with arching stems and bell-shaped blooms. Ultra-hardy and deer resistant, these beauties overwinter reliably in cold areas, where they reappear to bloom in late spring.

Flowers generally last a few weeks, although it depends on the weather. according to Nature's Calendar records 2001-2020. Carpets of bluebells are one of spring's best spectacles.

Where is the best place to plant bluebells? ›

Grow bluebells in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. They're particularly suited to growing beneath deciduous trees, which provide dappled shade in spring and deeper shade in summer. You'll get the best results from planting bluebells in the green but it's also possible to grow bluebells from seed.

Spanish bluebells are bulbous perennials native to Spain, Portugal and northwest Africa. Each bulb produces a clump of 2-6 strap-shaped leaves and a flower stem with 12-15 hanging, bell-shaped flowers. The plants are 12-18" tall.

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.

Hyacinthoides hispanica, commonly called Spanish bluebell or wood hyacinth, is a bulbous perennial that is native to Spain, Portugal and northwest Africa.

Do the bluebell flowers have any scent? The native bluebell has a strong sweet smell; Spanish ones are not scented.

Wahlenbergia stricta, the Australian bluebell, tall bluebell or austral bluebell, is an Australian wildflower from the Campanulaceae family. It is considered the most commonly encountered of the Wahlenbergias. It is found in all Australian states but not the Northern Territory.

Sowing bluebell seed is much easier than planting bulbs—seed can be scattered at a rate of 160-500/m² in autumn. Depending on your situation and levels of shade, weed control may be necessary.

When do you plant bluebell bulbs? The perfect time to plant bluebell bulbs is in the early autumn (September/October time). Plant bulbs at least 10cm deep and 10cm apart, and make sure that the pointed end is facing upwards.

The bluebell is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). This means digging up the plant or bulb in the countryside is prohibited and landowners are prohibited from removing bluebells from their land to sell.

All parts of the bluebell plant contain toxic glycosides that are poisonous to humans, dogs, horses and cattle. If any part of the plant is eaten, it can cause serious stomach upset, and if consumed in large quantities, may be fatal.

Are Spanish bluebells deer resistant? ›

Spanish Bluebells are fragrant, shade-loving flowers with arching stems and bell-shaped blooms. Ultra-hardy and deer resistant, these beauties overwinter reliably in cold areas, where they reappear to bloom in late spring.

This plant is considered invasive for the Pacific Northwest as it can spread by underground runners. It easily grows in the shade. Pests: No serious insect or disease problems.

Bluebell seeds can take up to 6 months to germinate and will need a further year or two before they can be planted out while dormant. They take about 4 to 5 years to reach flowering.

The appeal of Bluebells to nectaring or pollen-gathering bees and to hoverflies is acknowledged, and bumblebees are among the principal beneficiaries because they are active in the spring.

Bluebells are beautiful ground cover in fields by themselves; or, mix with yellow spring-bloomers like daisies and daffodils for striking contrast. Above: Shade-loving and a good ground cover, English bluebells' strong and sweet scent attracts bees.

A nice mixture of aconites and snowdrops growing in perfect harmony. Many people prefer to plant snowdrops, aconites and bluebells in full leaf, i.e." in the green".

Hi Ray, it's illegal to dig up wild flowers so I wouldn't advise it. However, you can collect seed and they will eventually flower but it might take a few years. Yes, as Bob says it's illegal to dig up British wild flowers - however you can buy some from grown from cultivated stock.

Plant Virginia bluebells in the spring or fall in rich, moist soil in partial to full shade. Plants can handle a bit of morning sun. The sunnier the area, the more water the plants will need.

Allow the foliage to die down naturally after flowering. It is a good idea to remove the faded flower spikes before they set seed to prevent the plants self-seeding and spreading where they aren't wanted. Bluebells are rarely troubled by any pests or diseases.

Pruning and caring for bluebells

Once leaves have turned yellow, cut them at their base. Don't cut them any earlier, since the plant needs to drain its leaves from all their nutrients to prepare for the following blooming cycle. Bluebells should normally propagate themselves naturally as years go by.

Can you plant bluebells in pots? ›

Bluebells look stunning when planted in containers. Be sure to use good quality potting mix and choose a pot with good drainage holes. After flowering you can remove the bulbs and plant them somewhere in your garden where they'll pop up again next year.

Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Bluebell) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.

If you leave them a bit longer the leaves will have time to fatten up the bulbs for next year. The longer you can stand leaving the leaves in place, the better your bluebell flowers will be next year. You can take the dead flower heads off though if you like.

Bluebells flower in April and May and in the UK and there are two types of bluebell which grow wild. These include the native bluebell, which is also known as the English or British bluebell, (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica), which can now be found across much of Britain.

Hyacinthoides hispanica, also known as Spanish bluebell, wood hyacinth, large bluebell, or squill, is native to Spain, Portugal, and northwest Africa. The pretty bell-shaped flowers, often a deep blue-periwinkle shade, make the reasoning behind the common name “bluebell” obvious.

Bluebells

Hyacinthoides hispanica, commonly called Spanish bluebell or wood hyacinth, is a bulbous perennial that is native to Spain, Portugal and northwest Africa.

Spanish bluebells have broad leaves, pale blue conical-bell flowers, with spreading and open tips, and flowers are found all around the stem. They have upright stems, no scent, and coloured pollen inside.

The Spanish Bluebell is a spring-flowering bulbous perennial native to Spain and Portugal; however, it has been introduced to many other countries, including Britain and Ireland.

Spanish Bluebell is a bulbous perennial herb that grows up to 1 1⁄2 foot tall and has showy, bell-shaped, lavender-blue flowers. Flowers bloom in late spring and each bulb produces multiple flower scapes and the corolla is not fused. This plant is clump-forming, naturalizes easily, and can become weedy.

Is it illegal to pick bluebells in your garden? ›

The bluebell is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). This means digging up the plant or bulb in the countryside is prohibited and landowners are prohibited from removing bluebells from their land to sell.

Luminous, Hyacinthoides hispanica 'White City' (Spanish Bluebells) is a robust, bulbous perennial with attractive clumps of glossy strap-shaped leaves from which rise tall stems to support its 15-20 pendant, bell-shaped, pristine white flowers.

Plant the Spanish bluebell bulbs about 3-4” deep and 4-6” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up. Water well once and wait for spring. After the Spanish bluebells have bloomed don't cut off the foliage. Leave it until it's completely withered and yellow, then remove.

Spanish bluebells are an easy-care spring-blooming bulb that does best in full sun (at least six hours of direct sun per day) or part shade. While they tolerate all-day shade, they don't tend to bloom as well.