Bells of the spring ball
This is the month Scotland’s gorgeous carpets of bluebells burst into life. Perthshire in particular has beautiful displays in Crieff, Blairgowrie and Aberfeldy. But there are sites right across Scotland from Balmacaan Wood in Inverness to Cathkin Braes Country Park in East Kilbride and Aldouran Glen in Stranraer. The wild bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, gives the countryside a splash of spring colour, looking stunning in the grass under trees with white or grey bark such as the British native birch. In domestic gardens, they look natural in areas with dappled shade provided by trees or large shrubs. Bulbs should be planted in autumn, 4-6cm deep in clumps of 20 or more. You’ll need a lot to make an impact. If you want to plant them in grass, lift patches of turf then plant the bulbs accordingly.