Bluebell

Where it grows

The native bluebell is concentrated in oceanic western Europe — Britain holds an estimated half of the world population — under oak, ash, and beech woods on slightly acid soils. The introduced Spanish bluebell (H. hispanica) hybridises freely and is steadily diluting the native population.

How to recognise it

Each bulb produces a few narrow strap-shaped leaves and one arching flower stem that nods at the tip. Six to twelve violet-blue, narrowly tubular bells hang along one side of the stem, their tips strongly recurved. Stamens carry cream pollen. The Spanish bluebell stands upright with a wider bell and blue pollen, the surest way to tell them apart.

Garden & cultural uses

Bluebells are protected by law in the United Kingdom; digging up wild bulbs is a criminal offence. They are best planted “in the green” — moved as growing plants rather than dry bulbs — to settle reliably. Carpets of bluebells indicate woodland that has been continuously forested since at least 1600.

In folklore

Bluebell woods were once thought to be enchanted; treading on them invited the displeasure of fairies and a year of bad luck.