Asked by: Zachariah Fagundo
home and garden landscaping

How do I identify bluebell bulbs?

17
Native bluebells have:
  1. narrow leaves, about 1-1.5cm wide.
  2. deep violet-blue (sometimes white), narrow, tubular-bell flowers, with tips that curl back.
  3. flowers on one side of the stem.
  4. distinctly drooping stems.
  5. a sweet scent.
  6. cream-coloured pollen inside.


Also to know is, how do you identify English bluebells?

The main differences between a Spanish bluebell and an English bluebell are:

  1. On the Spanish flower, the bells are all around the stem, not just on one side which gives the English bluebell its drooping stature.
  2. The leaves are wider and bigger.
  3. The petals of each bell open wider and flare at the ends rather than curl.

is it OK to pick bluebells? Since 1998, native bluebells have been protected by Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA). It is illegal for anyone to collect native bluebells in the wild for the purpose of selling them.

Also to know is, what do Spanish bluebell bulbs look like?

Bell-Shaped Beauties Spanish bluebell is a late-blooming spring bulb. The flowers are bell-shaped and about 3/4 inch long. They bloom later than bulb plants such as snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis), but many gardeners find this tardiness a benefit, not a drawback.

What is the difference between bluebells and Harebells?

While the bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, is a hyacinth, related to irises and orchids, the harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, is a campanula or bellflower, distantly related to the daisies. Harebells you can overlook: they are more skimpy, more skittish.

Related Question Answers

Qiaoyan Weidelich

Professional

Are white bluebells rare?

White Bluebells. They're the same size as normal blue bells, and we read up that there was some found down in england somewhere, and that they're extremely rare.

Luzdivino Zamora

Explainer

Why do bluebells turn white?

Botanist at the Natural History Museum, Dr Frederick Rumsey, said: "Every species of bluebell will produce white-flowered forms, and these lack the purplish blue pigment which you find in the typical form – the colouration being under genetic control.

Bernardeta Baumkirchner

Explainer

Are bluebells poisonous to humans?

Are bluebells poisonous? All parts of the bluebell plant contain toxic glycosides that are poisonous to humans and animals including dogs, horses, and cattle. Ingestion of any parts of the plant such as flowers, leaves or bulbs causes a lowering of the pulse rate, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Rayhana Shalganov

Explainer

Do bluebells multiply?

Although the native English bluebell and the larger Spanish bluebell are often grown in gardens, they can multiply and become a nuisance, requiring control. Spanish bluebells can also hybridise with the native form so are best controlled in gardens close to woodlands where the English bluebell is growing.

Gwenda Esclusa

Pundit

How many types of bluebells are there?

Learn more below about three of the most common varieties of bluebell.
  • English Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta.
  • Spanish Bluebell, Hyacinthoides hispanica.
  • Virginia Bluebell, Mertensia virginica.

Eguzki Hutwelker

Pundit

What do bluebells symbolize?

Bluebell. The most popular meaning for bluebells is humility or sometimes gratitude. It is also associated with everlasting love and constancy. Bluebells are also called harebells in Scotland because it is believed that witches turned into hares and hide among the flowers.

Titi Sanchez De Leon

Pundit

How do I get rid of bluebells?

Dig the soil around the plants, then feel in the soil until you find all the bulbs. Remove the runners you find below ground as well. These plants are so tough they'll sprout right through a compost heap if you dump them in right away. Kill bluebell bulbs by adding a little bit more effort.

Virgilia Nebe

Pundit

Where do bluebells grow best?

Bluebells are best planted in shady areas – around trees or underneath shrubs – where the cool conditions intensify the flower colour. Plant the bulbs 7.5cm (3in) deep, 10-15cm (4-6in) apart in autumn in well-prepared soil with lots of added bulky organic matter dug in.

Ndongo Clawes

Pundit

Why are bluebells protected?

Bluebells are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). It prohibits anyone from digging up bulbs in the countryside and landowners from removing bluebells from their land for sale. The species was also listed on Schedule 8 of the Act in 1998 which makes trade in wild bluebell bulbs or seeds an offence.

Nabel Buchhauser

Teacher

Are bluebells invasive?

Like Japanese knotweed, bluebells are sometimes considered to be an invasive species where I live. There may be nothing inherently bad about a specific invasive plant. When it's outside of its native habitat, however, it may grow or spread rapidly and cause environmental or economic problems.

Hossnia Urbina

Teacher

Are bluebells blue or purple?

Native bluebells have a Spanish cousin
Hyacinthoides hispanica—the Spanish Bluebell—was introduced by Victorians as a garden plant. English bluebells are a vivid blue-violet color while the Spanish variety is much paler.

Yuqing Dubler

Teacher

What is the difference between native bluebells 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.

Alane Porohin

Teacher

What do wild bluebells look like?

Flowers: usually deep violet-blue in colour, bluebells are bell-shaped with six petals and up-turned tips. These sweet-smelling flowers nod or droop to one side of the flowering stem (known as an inflorescence) and have creamy white-coloured pollen inside. Some bluebell flowers can be white or pink.

Weili Shlomo (Solomon)

Reviewer

How long do bluebells last?

As a perennial plant, bluebells flower every year. Bluebell colonies take between 5-7 years so develop and can take some time to recover if damaged. It is very important to avoid trampling bluebells in bloom to protect the delicate flower and allow the colony to spread naturally.

Yaniris Goerkes

Reviewer

Are bluebells bulbs?

Bluebell Bulbs English - Hyacinthoides non-scripta (2484)
Native English (UK) Bluebells grown from cultivated stock. Bluebells prefer a moisture retentive, humus rich, woodland type soil. Please see Bluebells in the green category.

Xianmei Dillana

Reviewer

What to do when bluebells finish flowering?

Aftercare. After flowering has finished for the season leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulbs for the future. Please note that bluebells in the green can take several years to establish themselves after transplanting.

Benito Weihs

Reviewer

Are grape hyacinth flowers poisonous?

Grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.) are a charming addition to the springtime garden. Grape hyacinth bulbs are not toxic, but the similar-looking common hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) does have poisonous bulbs.

Melynda Sanfiel

Supporter

How do you preserve bluebell bulbs?

Wash the soil off with a firm jet of water then let the bulbs dry completely before storing. The most effective method for storing bulbs is to put them into net bags and place them somewhere cool, dry and airy – a dark, cool corner of the garden shed is ideal.

Savino Schultka

Supporter

Do you deadhead bluebells?

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.