Bluebells

[Susie]

I was surprised to see my first bluebells last Wednesday. Not technically wild, as they were growing in a rather unloved and overgrown front garden, but I would be interested to hear when you see your first proper wild ones.

[nightshade]

I have two in the garden not in flower,they arrived as Ramsons!

[jennyb]

The wild bluebells are the highlight of my gardening year (hence, my avatar). Ours are up quite high but not flowering yet.

Jenny

[agrumpycow]

We found 2 flowering last week in our local nature reserve, the site was carpeted in them and these were the only ones we found that were in flower. Like Jenny, they're a highlight of my year. A wood near us is overun by them and they look spectacular, there are white ones as well.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Susie

I was surprised to see my first bluebells last Wednesday. Not technically wild, as they were growing in a rather unloved and overgrown front garden, but I would be interested to hear when you see your first proper wild ones.

Are they native Bluebells or possibly more likely in many gardens the vigorous hybrid with Spanish Bluebell? I know Plantlife have been worried about these garden plants contaminating our native populations whch are the biggest in the world.

[Susie]

I only got a quick look at them (I was walking past) but my guess is that they would be the hybrid.

[Tiggrx]

I saw my first ones today - in fact I saw quite a few today. I think they were all hybrids

[jennyb]

After reading this post, I went out to take a closer look at my bluebells. Some are actually flowering - not enough to show a carpet of blue yet, but definite flowers and native ones at that. This is the earliest that I have ever seen them here.

Jenny

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by jennyb

After reading this post, I went out to take a closer look at my bluebells. Some are actually flowering - not enough to show a carpet of blue yet, but definite flowers and native ones at that. This is the earliest that I have ever seen them here.

Jenny

That is early Jenny, but we have had such a mild winter. A local nature reserve to me is Perivale Wood, managed by the Selborne Society, which has 1 public open day a year to see the wonderful display of Bluebells + is normally the first weekend in May.

In recent years though they are peaking probably mid-April. It's a glorious scent, as well as sight, to be in a Bluebell wood in full flow. It's easy to take them for granted but no other country in the world has such glorious displays of this plant!

[Susie]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

That is early Jenny, but we have had such a mild winter. A local nature reserve to me is Perivale Wood, managed by the Selborne Society, which has 1 public open day a year to see the wonderful display of Bluebells + is normally the first weekend in May.

In recent years though they are peaking probably mid-April. It's a glorious scent, as well as sight, to be in a Bluebell wood in full flow. It's easy to take them for granted but no other country in the world has such glorious displays of this plant!

It is lovely at Perivale Wood. I used to go every year as a child, then started going a few years ago again. I will be disappointed not to be there this year.

Perhaps if you go, aeshna5, you could take some photos of the lovely bluebells and post them for us?

I have bluebells in my garden here but I don't know what type yet, and they are no where near flowering.