Plant focus: Bluebell

Woodwick House Bluebells Image Credit Bell

As the year moves on and into May, bluebells come into their full magnificence. There are two varieties you are most likely to see: the native bluebell and the Spanish. And as in all things nature takes over and there is a hybrid of the two.

Spanish bluebells grow upright, with the flowers all around the stem, not drooping to one side like the British bluebell. Hybrid bluebell (Hyacinthoides x massartiana) is a mix of the British and Spanish bluebell. It is often very similar in appearance to our native bluebell, but might threaten its existence by out-competing it and diluting the gene pool.

Woodland Trust

Bluebell woods are intertwined with fairy lore and enchantment.

 It is also said that if you hear a bluebell ring, you will be visited by a bad fairy, and will die not long after. If you are to pick a bluebell, many believe you will be led astray by fairies, wandering lost forevermore.

Woodland Trust

Click on this link to find out more about the bluebell: Bluebell(Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

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