I’ve been researching bluebells this week, to use as background in a chapter of my book. I’ve found useful information but have been sidetracked by pictures of bluebell woods in England.
Masses of these glorious flowers (Hyacinthoides non-scripta – the English bluebell) are in bloom there now and, although the photos are beautiful, I am sure they don’t allow me to fully appreciate what an immersive experience it would be to see them in real life.
Of course, it’s the wrong time of the year here for spring bulbs to bloom. My bulbs are Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica). They have upright stems that emerge from fleshy, strap-like leaves and are currently snugly tucked in the cool ground, waiting for their time to shoot. They spread prolifically so, once you have them, you can usually be assured drifts of flowers will appear each spring. I love their long, straight stalks of blooms.
Here are three things you may not know about bluebells.
In the language of flowers, the bluebell is a symbol of humility, constancy and gratitude.
Spanish bluebells also come in white and pink varieties and easily hybridise with the English bluebell. Too easily, some gardeners may say!
English bluebells bear flowers along one side of arching stems. Spanish bluebells bear blooms on all sides of straight stems.