Bluebells?

[volence]

I have lived next to a bluebel wood just about al my life. I've seen bluebells in various shades of blue and even a few rare white ones. This year, I am in Birmingham and I have seen pink bluebells. I have never heard of such a thing before and I am wondering whether they are a garden variety that has escaped or a genetic mutation as I have seen a few around in different places.

[leifus]

i always thought these were either garden escapes or hybrids...

[Kayleigh]

Oh dear!! I think they are the Spanish variety..

[Tiggrx]

They look like hybrids between Spanish Bluebell & native Bluebells. They come in pink, white or blue - often in mixed colonies.

[Yorkie lad]

not seen the pink variety but here is a pic of white one's seen today in Shrawley wood worcestershire. Best show of bluebells I have seen in a long while !



yorkie lad

[volence]

Spanish bluebells? Is there anyway to tell them apart because there are alot of bluebells around and I hope they haven't mixed

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by volence

Spanish bluebells? Is there anyway to tell them apart because there are alot of bluebells around and I hope they haven't mixed

This link should help
Exploring British Wildlife: Bluebells | Natural History Museum

[WhiskyBottle]

I found two pink ones in my local wood full of native bluebells this weekend.
The pink ones had the narrow leaves and narrow flower of the native ones, though the flower (bell) was a little shorter. Spannish Bluebells are common in the gardens in the valley, including mine

p.s. I've only just learnt the difference, due to another post here, so I've been looking at them a bit more closely.

[volence]

Thanks for that link. I think most of the bluebells round here are hybrids, but I can tell from looking at photos from my local bluebell wood they are still natives, thank heavens. Is the hybridisation something to worry about you think?

[sunnydale]

I photographed these white Bluebells in Millers Dale. Hybrids or not....they're still gorgeous!