A treasured sight in the UK, these beautiful yet delicate plants are a sure sign that spring has sprung.
Bluebell facts
Scientific name: Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Native
Type: Perennial
Bluebells and our canals
Bluebells serve as a vital spring resource for a variety of wildlife species. Pollinators like bees and butterflies feed on the nectar and pollen, whilst mammals including deer and rabbits graze on their leaves.
Native bluebells are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, meaning it's against the law to pick, uproot or destroy them. They can take years to recover from being crushed or trampled on, and, if their leaves are affected, they will die off completely due to their inability to photosynthesise.
What does a bluebell look like?
Native bluebells are a deep shade of blue-violet with creamy-white pollen inside the flower. Their stems are curved which causes most of the bells to hang to one side. The individual bells themselves are narrow with straight sides, and have petals that curl back at the edges.
Where to find bluebells
Bluebells often grow in woodlands, hedgerows or along shady canal banks. They prefer moist soil, and tend to form in areas where sunlight is limited.
The bluebell is a perennial plant, appearing quickly but for only a short while. They are usually most visible from mid April to early May, although more mild springs can cause earlier flowering.
What's the difference between English and Spanish bluebells?
In the last 30 years, Spanish bluebells escaped from gardens and is now found in the wild. They tend to have a paler hue to their petals, and their stems are more upright with bells hanging all around, rather than to one side. The bells are cone-shaped, and the petals flare outwards rather than curl.
Another tell-tale sign is the pollen colour. If you take a look inside the flower and you see green or blue, it's a Spanish bluebell.
Native bluebells also omit a strong, sweet sent, whereas their Spanish cousins are almost odourless. You can also come across hybrids, which are trickier to differentiate from the native and non-native species.
