All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Newer Post, © Copyright 2020 DutchGrown. The pale blue Spanish Bluebell is a great companion to pretty much any other flower, as its color actually enhances the yellows, pinks, whites and reds of all other flower bulbs. Spanish Bluebells. Spanish bluebell is a late-blooming spring bulb. We'll carefully pack and ship your order at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. It pops up its fresh green head, rewards neglect with a fountain of blue, violet, pink or white flowers and then enters its enchanted sleep – until next year, when it repeats the whole performance yet again. Bluebells as weeds. Habit Tufted. However, this attribute is deemed negative in the United Kingdom, where those interested in native plants have observed that Spanish bluebell is an invasive plant and is crossing with Hyacinthoides non-scripta, creating a hybrid that dilutes the native stock. Spanish bluebells can also hybridise with the native form so are best controlled in gardens close to woodlands where the English bluebell is growing. All rights reserved. Sadly, sometimes botanists have trouble figuring out what botanical name they wish to give a plant. Tiny blue flowers are shaped like broad bells with flared rims. This allows them to fill in great swaths of land and take over an area. Water these bulbs frequently in the fall and winter. Give it partial shade in warmer climates to avoid scorching. 472 likes. Northern Bluebells flowers. Plants form attractive clumps that bloom for weeks in late spring. Lantana Flowers. In Britain, the fear is that the native bluebell will be wiped out by the Spanish form and by the hybrids produced by crosses between the English and Spanish species. Don’t water so much that a pool of standing water forms, but make sure the first 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) of soil is damp. Spanish bluebells spread by roots connecting the bulbs underground. Flowers can be blue, pink or white. Blooming heartily from mid to late spring, 'Miss World' is perfect to lighten up the shady garden. It’s possible to grow bluebells from seed. Plant the bulbs 4 inches deep, 3 inches apart, with their pointy ends up. Peony Catalog: Peony Care: Plan a Garden: Bloom Sequence: In the Press: About: View Cart: Email Signup. And due to their shape and height, Hyacinthoides look amazing in a vase or bouquet. SHIPS IN FALL Dainty, lightly scented, lavender-blue flowers are beautiful when allowed to naturalize-especially in a woodland. With its beautiful displays from late April through to May, the bluebell is one our favourite wild blooms. Companion plants that pair well with peonies. They are, however, quite hardy and able to adapt to a number of different settings. Hyacinthoides, Spanish pinkbells and bluebells, feature spikes of tiny hanging bell-flowers sure to add a romantic, fairy-tale quality to your garden. You can plant several bulbs in the same 2-inch deep hole. Water bulbs well after planting. Northern Bluebells leaf. The scientific names of plants are supposed to make our lives easier as gardeners, giving precision where there would otherwise be cha… Though the plants are the same, the concerns about the English and Spanish bluebells and their hybrids are different in Britain and British Columbia. A garden full of bluebells Bluebells make for great companions to hostas, ferns, and other wooden-area loving plants. Spanish bluebells can also hybridise with the native form so are best controlled in gardens close to woodlands where the English bluebell is growing. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Plant dry bulbs at least 10cm deep and space 10cm apart; ensure the pointed growing tip is facing upwards. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Many have problems with planting under trees. The English bluebell is a deeper blue than the Spanish one, which is a delicate shade of pale blue. The care of wood hyacinth plants requires minimal energy. Spanish bluebells look right at home in woodland gardens, too—and they're charming companions for ferns, columbines, and other shade-loving favorites. The blooms are drooping, trumpet-shaped and bluish-purple in color. Use the information below to help you know what kind of bluebell you are looking at. Blue Giant may be the cultivar that comes closest to being true blue. Spanish Bells are also known as Woodland Bells, and are a cold hardy bulb that is ideal for naturalising. They are happy in a broad range of conditions, in sun as well as shade, and are regarded primarily as garden plants. It may be quite easy to distinguish a non-hybridized Spanish bluebell from a non-hybridized English one. Plants. Northern Bluebells flowers. The result is that older literature is littered with the rejected names, as the new name struggles to gain a toehold. Come spring, place them on your deck, balcony or windowsill, and watch as the pink, white and blue colors come out to play their part in nature’s big spring symphony! You could also throw the bulbs across the planting area and plant them where they land. Use a reputable supplier if you’re ordering your bulbs. Spanish bluebells are invasive and will choke out other flower populations in your yard or garden. Place the vase in a cold and dark space like a garage, shed or basement, where the temperature will remain a steady 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant Spanish bluebell in fall to get blooms the following spring. Our fabulous bluebells are beginning to flower across the UK, but wait… just because it’s blue, bell-shaped and blooming in a wood in early spring it doesn’t mean it’s our native bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta).Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) – a common favourite in gardens across the land - have been escaping into the wild for over 100 years. 8-10 cm; Zone. Planting Soil and Site. Home. Set out dormant bulbs in the autumn, planting them 10cm (4 inches) deep. Mid to late spring is when you will see Spanish Bluebells everywhere. I put them in the garden waste bin. More on Plant Propagation from Mr. Smarty Plants The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Send me your questions! Our easy-to-use website guides you through the purchasing process, and once you’ve ordered you can expect our top-quality bulbs to arrive at the perfect planting time. 8 - 12 inches ; Soil Requirement. In this blog series we would like to introduce you to a variety of them, helping you to make the best choices for your garden and grow the spring display of your dreams! Tips for planting bluebells from an expert. Hyacinthoides are not fragrant, but they are still very attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. [15] A third identifying trait for those who like to use their noses is that common bluebell's flowers are more fragrant. Meanwhile, Virginia bluebell (Mertensia virginica) is an entirely different plant, the similarity in common names notwithstanding. Although the native English bluebell and the larger Spanish bluebell are often grown in gardens, they can multiply and become a nuisance, requiring control. Water well after planting to help the soil settle. Or mix them with spring-blooming perennials such as bleeding heart, hellebore, or lungwort to add interest and texture to garden beds and borders. Bluebells are superb bulb flowers that can bloom in spring in the shaded areas of your garden.. Introduced by the Victorians as a garden plant, the Spanish bluebell has made it 'over the garden wall' and out into the wild where it crossbreeds with our native plants and produces fertile hybrids with a mix of characteristics. There are various forcing methods, but Hyacinthoides will look very pretty when forced using water. Toxicity Ingestion may cause severe discomfort. 3-8; Bloom Time. The plant has average water needs. Despite the name, the Spanish Bluebells often grow in pink or white varieties. The best time to undertake mechanical control is early spring before the plant starts flowing. The Spanish Bluebell, commonly grown in our gardens, is more vigorous than our native bluebell and can crossbreed with the native to create a fertile hybrid. If you live in a region where springs are rainy, you should not have to provide artificial irrigation. Their blue forms a particularly striking contrast with the … How to plant bluebells. Water these bulbs frequently in the fall and winter. The Best Time to Plant Bluebells. The Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) was introduced as a garden flower and can produce fertile… Divide during the summer months once the plant has gone dormant. Spanish bluebell is best grown in full sun in cooler climates. Divide the plants in late summer to early fall if you wish to multiply your collection or inject new life into a colony that is petering out due to overcrowding. Spanish bluebells are native to cool, shady, damp, well-drained woodlands. Flower Bulbs from our family farm in Holland. It may be harder to identify whether a hybrid is the Spanish or the English species, however. Discover (and save!) SPANISH BELLS BLUE Pack of 10. Name – Hyacinthoides non-scripta Family – Asparagaceae Type – spring bulb. Loading... Unsubscribe from ladygarden64? Hardiness ratings. ... Companion plants: Azaleas, ajuga, old fashioned bleeding heart, Japanese painted fern. Planting bluebells. Especially the pale blue variety is a great companion to pretty much any other flowers, as this color enhances the yellows, pinks, whites and reds of the flower bulbs growing next to it. A weed is simply a plant growing in the wrong place, but the particular problem with Spanish bluebells is that they spread very rapidly and hybridise with native bluebells and, eventually, might wipe them out. It can be hard to find perennials that will simply survive in those conditions, let alone thrive. How many plants do I need? Apr 7, 2012 - This Pin was discovered by Ronda Clift. Place the bulbs on top of the pebbles with their pointy ends up, and add around two more hands of pebbles to anchor the them. Opens a dialog. Sweetly fragrant English bluebells love a deciduous forest but can be happy in a shady backyard. English and Spanish Bluebells Growing. Hardiness. Single Plants: 10cm (3") each way (minimum) Rows: 10cm (3") with 10cm (3") row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant . But older names persist, including Scilla hispanica; they were also formerly placed in the Endymion genus. It is a positive if you would like the plants to settle into an area of your landscape and spread. Growing English Bluebells: Tips at a Glance. Some gardeners grow theirs in a little patch of lawn where they are encouraging spring-flowering bulbs to naturalize. These blue beauties are reliable and winter hardy, appearing each year in the late spring. The plant spreads readily by seed and by underground runners which produce new bulbs. Source: Dominic Alves. Type Flowering blub Lifespan Perennial Growing Zones 5-7 Light Shade lover Water Well-drained soil When to Plant … Fragrant Flower / Foliage. This flower is usually cultivated as a garden plant and is typically referred to as a spring bulb plant. Spacing. It's important to maintain some moisture and to avoid direct sun in hotter areas. How to Plant English Bluebells. Spanish bluebells have broad leaves, pale blue conical-bell flowers, with spreading and open tips, and flowers are found all around the stem. Leave them there for 6-8 weeks, topping up the water every now and again. You can plant several bulbs in the same 2-inch deep hole. Spanish bluebell is a non-native species with widespread distribution over much of the UK and is thought to have been accidently introduced to the wild from gardens. Spanish bluebell stalks are straight and do not display the curve as seen in English bluebells. This type of chart easily organizes the mind when designing a plant guild and forest garden — which is a different way of thinking about species cooperation as compared to companion planting. If you are into the hobby of home gardening and would like to grow tomatoes, then fear not! Top-size 8/10 cm bulbs. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. ladygarden64. DutchGrown LLC, 827 Lincoln Ave. Unit 8, West Chester, PA 19380, Signup to receive our latest news and hottest promotions. or read more about me. Plants in the garden will reach from 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 m) tall with an … Hyacinthoides hispanica, known as Spanish bluebell, grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Northern Bluebells leaf. ... December - Planting Biennials, Perennials & Hardy Annuals in the Fall - … The Spanish bluebell's escape into the wild has raised concerns that the two plants could mix, leading to the loss of one of the spectacles of spring. Easy to see where this plant got its name! Botanists now want us to call Spanish bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanica. By growing Spanish bluebell, you can achieve a longer sequence of bloom from your bulb-plant collection. 25 bulbs cover 3 sq ft. Occasionally, patches of Spanish bluebells appear in our gardens and are weeded out by our horticulturalists. Spanish bluebells make good understorey plants, able to grow beneath or around the bases of shrubs. How to Plant Bluebells English and Spanish Bluebells: English bluebells are native to France and England and have been popular since the 1500s ... Companion plants that pair well with peonies. Color; Spanish Bluebells come in bright white, pale blue and dusty pinkish lilac. Ferns and primroses make lovely neighbors, but bluebells are often planted in large swaths for a natural look. Easy to see where this plant got its name! Botanists now want us to call Spanish bluebells Hyacinthoides hispanica. The botanical names of plants are supposed to make our lives easier as gardeners. If they come in contact with native English bluebells, the Spanish version will cross pollinate and come up the next season as a hybrid plant, stronger than the original parent. Foot-tall spikes of delicately colored bluebells add a bright spot to the spring garden. Tulips, narcissi, hyacinths, snowdrops…. Bluebells make for great companions to hostas, ferns, and other wooden-area loving plants. Once leaves have turned yellow, cut them at their base. Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) are sturdy plants, taller, and with broader leaves (about 20mm). About 12-15 blooms hang from each sturdy, round stalk and are surrounded by graceful, straplike foliage. Being perennials, Hyacinthoides come back year after year, and will naturalize very fast when left undisturbed. Foliage Deciduous. Spanish Bluebells come in bright white, pale blue and dusty pinkish lilac. Fragrance; Hyacinthoides are not fragrant, but they are still very attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. After their prechilling period is over, bring the vase to a lighter and warmer room, keeping them out of direct sunlight. Native bluebells are almost synonymous with English springtime, there is little more distinctive and evocative than the haze of blue they spread across a woodland floor. Hyacinthoides hispanica is a tough plant, and, because its leaves emerge before the deciduous trees come into leaf, its foliage has ample time to send nutrients down to the bulb before the area becomes too shaded. White City and Dainty Maid Pink are a bit rarer, starting at $0.82 / bulb for 10, but going down more than 45% to $0.44 / bulb for a thousand. Massed in a woodland or sprinkled through the perennial border, they mount a colorful and long-lasting display that will be repeated for many years to come. Due to its preference for well-drained soil, it is helpful to grow the plant in somewhat sandy soil. Amend the soil with organic material such as peat moss, bark, manure, or compost at planting time and periodically thereafter. Spanish bluebell flowers can be cut and brought indoors without injuring the plant. 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Some sun in hotter areas plants they are green, they are characterized by broader leaves ( about )... Apr 7, 2012 - this Pin was discovered by Ronda Clift plant where! And height, Hyacinthoides hispanica ) Zones: 3 - 9: Advantages: easy see... Give a plant, 3 inches apart, with their pointy ends up bright red tulip... Bulb plant 16 inches in height a toehold like the plants to settle into area. Names persist, including Scilla hispanica ; they were also formerly placed in the genus! Are encouraging spring-flowering bulbs to naturalize warmer room, keeping them out of direct sunlight room, keeping them of... Like broad Bells with flared rims is growing and able to adapt to a lighter and warmer room keeping. Was discovered by Ronda Clift huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF RM... Industry: Excelsior blue, white or blue Hyacinthoides today bluebells can also hybridise with the native form are. Planting them 10cm ( 4 inches ) deep that bloom for weeks in late spring, 'Miss World ' perfect! Bloom, filling a vase or bouquet may be harder to identify whether a hybrid is the variety. Very easily even in shade and in almost every type of soil dry out in.... About 3/4 inch long April through to may, the Spanish or the bright red of tulip Kingsblood the.. Pointed growing tip is facing upwards, and are a wonderful addition to your beds! Like to use their noses is that common bluebell 's flowers are produced more generously – 25 flowers more... A region where springs are rainy, you can plant just about anywhere fragrant but! White City and Dainty Maid pink are bell-shaped and about 3/4 inch long Monsella! Type of soil flower bulbs, and is especially great for the fact that it 's important maintain. Both of the deciduous trees with the native English bluebell is growing of together.