Blue bells??

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

That's very tall for any Hyacinthoides unless the soil had been fed/manured.... and if the soil has been 'improved' then who knwos what might have got in ther ......

nahh that was the hight (estimated) including the flowers. Thinking about it and looking at a ruler now id have to say it might have very well been between 50 - 70cm in hight "1.5 - 2 foot"

[tigger]

The Natural History Museum have a survey on our Native Bluebells, and show you pictures of the native, Spanish and hybrid varieties.

Exploring British Wildlife: Bluebells - Natural History Museum

Thought you might like a peek!

Jane

[hobble]

Originally Posted by tigger

The Natural History Museum have a survey on our Native Bluebells, and show you pictures of the native, Spanish and hybrid varieties.

Exploring British Wildlife: Bluebells - Natural History Museum

Thought you might like a peek!

Jane

Looks interesting I shall go a measuring this weekend.

[PeterJL]

Interesting but it confirms what I thought - you'll be able to tell the difference between our native species of bluebell and the introduced but I defy anyone to be certain of distinguishing the hybrid H x massartiana and pure Hyacinthoides hispanica.

I went to Spain in March and saw the genuine Spanish Bluebell - it looked very like some of the hybrids although smaller. The anthers were very pale blue and the bell shape I've seen on many plants which were supposed to be the hybrid H x massartiana. The anthers probably need to be seen before dehiscence (when they burst and release pollen grains) - they are supposed to be blue.

Too much panic about the introduced species imo the hybrid doesn't seem to grow in huge swarms in dark damp woods like our native bluebell - at least not here in the frozen north.

[Poirot]

I am so pleased to say i have not seen any spanish bluebells growing in the wild in my area. We have carpets of english one but no spanish.

I don't think the spanish ones look as nice

Poirot

[September]

Originally Posted by Poirot

I am so pleased to say i have not seen any spanish bluebells growing in the wild in my area. We have carpets of english one but no spanish.

I don't think the spanish ones look as nice

Poirot

Here too, even in the local town park, our bluebells are of the native variety. The only place I have seen the Spanish, or hybrid, variety is in my Mum's garden!

I too happen to think the natives are much more pleasing to look at, with their drooping, more reclusive and delicate flowers. The spanish/hybrids seem much more outgoing!

[wildherbalian85]

Blue bells growing wild in garden.





any idea if they are natives?

[Bub-les]

definately not
They are most likely a hybrid of Hyacinthoides hispanica.
Barbara

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Bub-les

definately not
They are most likely a hybrid of Hyacinthoides hispanica.
Barbara

All i can say is most of the front gardens in the street (that have soil) have bluebells growing.. cant speak for the back garden's but we have never planted them in ours, and were those are growing now weat and oats also grow -

[Bub-les]

These photos were taken by jennyb hope jennyb doesn't mind me using them here)
If you look closely you can see quite a few differences between these and yours.
The hybrids are getting all over the place and are spread by seeds via insect pollination. The further away you are from human habitation you are the more likely you will find pure English bluebells and not the hybrid. The hybrid is becoming a major problem in many areas.
Hope that helps
Barbara