How to spot true woodland belles

IT’S almost bluebell season, when we walk through woodlands cloaked in carpets of the trademark late spring flowers. But do the bluebell woods we visit harbour common bluebells or Spanish varieties, which it is feared will reduce our native variety?

Common bluebells are a protected species in the UK – it’s against the law to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy bluebells – but Plantlife, the wild plant conservation charity, says they are partly threatened by the escape of the Spanish bluebell from gardens and subsequent crossbreeding and loss of true native populations. A previous survey by the charity found around one in six bluebells in broadleaved woodland was a Spanish rather than native bluebell.

HOW DO YOU TELL THEM APART?

Native bluebells have deep violetblue tubular-bell (or white) flowers on drooping stems, flower on one side of the stem and emit a sweet scent. Spanish bluebells have broader leaves and have pale blue, white or pink conical bell flowers on upright stems, with flowers all around the stem, and no scent.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH A HYBRID?

A hybrid plant is the offspring produced by cross-pollinating one form and the other. This process of cross-pollination, rather than pollination between plants of the same form (species), generally creates stronger, healthier, improved offspring, said to have “hybrid vigour”.

“Hybrid forms could potentially oust native bluebells and so we advise against growing Spanish bluebells so they can’t cross pollinate with native bluebells, changing the iconic bluebell woods we all enjoy,” says RHS horticultural advisor Leigh Hunt.

Plantlife recommends that gardeners must take care to avoid planting Spanish or hybrid plants in the countryside or near native bluebell populations.

ARE NATIVE BLUEBELLS RARE?

No, but if you want a good wildlife garden they provide an early source of nectar for butterflies and bees.

WHERE CAN YOU BUY THEM?

Bluebells can be bought as loose bulbs cheaply in autumn or growing in pots in spring. They can be grown under trees or shrubs that lose their leaves in winter, as they will largely grow and bloom before the leaves fully appear in spring.

You’ll need enough room for the plants to grow, flower and for the leaves to die back naturally to encourage really good flowering.

CAN YOU GROW THEM IN POTS?

Bluebells can be grown in pots, but remove the seedheads to prevent seed being scattered if you only want them in certain areas. They are easy to grow in pots of peat-free multipurpose or peat-free loam-based composts. Plant bulbs about 2in deep and keep compost moist from October-June for best growth and flowering.