Water well once and wait for spring, or, when you live in hardiness zone 3-7, water well and bring the containers indoors, letting them spend the winter in a cool spot like an unheated garage or basement. The hybrid bluebell (hyacinthoides massartiana) is actually a beautiful plant. They will gradually self sow and naturalise over time. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Bluebells should be planted as deeply as possible, 4 ins being the minimum, and more if possible. For natural looking drifts of bluebell flowers, cast the bulbs across the planting area and plant them where they land. How to plant bluebells The easiest most reliable method is to plant bluebells ‘in the green’ in late spring, after they have finished flowering. Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) are sturdy plants, taller, and with broader leaves (about 20mm). In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November. Producing nodding flowers on one side of the stem, these hardy bulbs will grace the garden with a sea of scented blue flowers whilst providing much needed nectar to pollinators — truly, there is nothing to beat bluebells in the woodland garden in spring. Some call it Spanish Bluebell, others insist it's English Wood Hyacinth, and others just call them Scilla. If you live in hardiness zone 9 or higher, the soil won’t get cold enough for the root-developing process to happen, but you might consider forcing. Name – Hyacinthoides non-scripta Family – Asparagaceae Type – spring bulb. They also have a lovely fragrance and are very attractive to bees, butterflies and other important pollinators. Plant the Spanish bluebell bulbs about 3-4” deep and 4-6” apart, placing them in the soil with their pointy ends up. The care of wood hyacinth plants requires minimal energy. This will be at a depth of about 10cm (4in), spacing them about 10cm (4in) apart. A mature plant reaches a foot in diameter. Best arranged on it’s own or with cowslips. Location. They prefer a warmer environment than English bluebells. The bluebells in question in Canada and Britain are of three types: the English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica), and hybrids between the two species. The Spanish Bluebells is a very resilient plant, and is especially great for the more difficult areas in your garden. These small flowers tend to cross pollinate with native English bluebells, creating a hybrid flower that takes over the area. Like all flower bulbs, Spanish bluebells need a cold period to develop their roots and get ready for spring. Bluebells naturally grow in woodland areas so it’s best to give them similar conditions in your garden. It’s possible to grow bluebells from seed. Spanish bluebells will need to be planted deep enough that they won’t be affected by temperature variations above ground, either too warm or too cold. Another thing you can do is to upgrade potentially soggy soil by adding organic material such as peat, bark or manure. Dry bulbs (autumn planting):Plant at least twice the depth of the bulb, 15cm (6in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart, with the pointed up upwards. Indeed, as you can see in the photo to the right, some are white or pink. Pick a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial shade. Only plant Bluebells where there is a good sized area which they can colonise without spoiling the garden and becoming a pest plant. Since Spanish bluebells grow less well when they have to fight for nutrients with their fellow bulbs, it’s best to plant them 4-6” apart. Bluebells flower from late April to May, filling our woods with their incredible flowers and fragrance and providing nectar for moths, bees and butterflies. But older names persist, including Scilla hispanica; they were also formerly placed in the Endymion genus. Over time they’ll spread out to create a beautiful blue carpet effect. Dry bulbs (autumn planting): The fragrance is also not as strong, and they usually come in blue, pink, or white. 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. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulbs for the future. Spanish bluebells need the sun to grow, but they do best when they’re not in full sunlight all day. DutchGrown LLC, 827 Lincoln Ave. Unit 8, West Chester, PA 19380, Signup to receive our latest news and hottest promotions, Like all flower bulbs, Spanish bluebells need a cold period to develop their roots and get ready for spring. Spanish bluebells make good understorey plants, able to grow beneath or around the bases of shrubs. or read more about me. If you live in hardiness zone 9 or higher, the soil won’t get cold enough for the root-developing process to happen, but you might consider. It is important from the conservation perspective to ensure that you buy and plant only English Bluebells. Pick when they first emerge and sear the stems for 20 seconds. The plant is native to south-western Europe, records of the species in the UK go back to 1683 and is thought to have escaped from gardens in the early 1900’s. Spanish bluebells have a loose, informal growth habit and more delicate appearance than their cousins, the hybrid hyacinths. Now the bulb will be going dormant, and won’t need any watering until next spring. Up to a dozen blue-purple bell-shaped flowers grow on each stem while the plant is in bloom. Tiny blue flowers are shaped like broad bells with flared rims. Basic Bluebell facts. Common Name: Spanish bluebell Latin name: Hyacinthoides hispanica. We use cookies to personalise content, analyse website performance and for advertising purposes. eCommerce by blubolt, Perennials for Spring and Summer Planting. … Plant them in a spot that is partially shaded, like underneath a deciduous tree or shrub. Flowering – March-April. September, Upright, erect, colorful and with the ability to grow in full sun, the Spanish bluebell actually makes a much better garden flower. Spanish bluebells can also hybridise with the native form so are best controlled in gardens close to woodlands where the English bluebell is growing. Bluebells are woodland lovers so plant in partial shade, ideally below deciduous trees or shrubs. Spanish bluebell is a bulb plant that grows up to 2 feet tall with a 1-foot spread. Photography: © Jonathan Buckley. Wait until the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Planting and care are very simple and blooming is guaranteed Thanks to plant breeders, there are now cultivars in pink, blue and white. Spanish bluebells are actually an invasive species in the UK. Find a well-draining container and fill it with loose soil, making sure water won’t gather and stay at the bottom. Wait until it’s cold outside, with a soil temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Easy to grow, low care and incredibly good-looking, Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) is a great bulbous perennial to have! 3 Insert dry bulbs 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) deep in the soil. Flowers can be blue, pink or white. Luckily, bluebells are remarkably tolerant of bad timing. Plant in naturalistic drifts 10cm deep and approximately 10cm apart. Spanish bluebells are similar to English bluebells, but they mostly grow in open areas and are rarely found in the woods. These pretty flowers in blue, white or pink might look dainty, but they are the powerhouses of the flower bulb world. Bluebells are superb bulb flowers that can bloom in spring in the shaded areas of your garden.. on 1st February 2020. When your DutchGrown Spanish bluebells arrive and you can’t plant them immediately, it’s important to store them correctly: unpack them right away and put them in a dry place with plenty of air circulation, where the temperature is between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Older Post The standard method for calculating the ideal depth is to dig a hole three times as deep as the bulb is high, and place the bulb at the bottom with its pointy end up. This famous wildflower even has several botanical names. Bluebells are best planted in shady areas – around trees or underneath shrubs – where the cool conditions intensify the flower colour. Botanists now want us to call Spanish bluebells Hyacinthoides hispanica. Growing Bluebells. Position the bulbs with the pointy end facing up. So once you feel fall’s first chill in the air, it’s time to get planting. After Spanish bluebells have finished blooming, don’t cut the foliage straight away: through photosynthesis the leaves will create nutrients that the bulb will be needing for its next growing season. Send me your questions! Plant Passport. The concerns about the plants are worth considering, even as the flowers are admired. Plant them in any well-drained soil and watch them take off. Bluebells can also be planted in containers in the same soil conditions, (good-quality, well-drained soil). And due to their shape and height, Hyacinthoides look amazing in a vase or bouquet. Leave enough space between each plant so they have room to grow and will fill in the gaps. But whatever you call it, you'll love the nodding flowers and the plant's habit of spreading into larger and larger clumps. Use scissors to pull them up and cut above the white part of the stalk so as to not damage the bulb. Receive emails from us & get 15% off your order, © 2020 Sarah Raven. Their flowers are bell-shaped and a light gray blue in color. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove. Like the Spanish bluebell, the flowers are tall and rigid, and the colors are not limited to the exquisite blue of the typical Spanish bluebell. Unfortunately containers can’t protect bulbs as well as mother earth can, so when you live in hardiness zones 3-7 it might be better to let your containers spend the winter indoors, in a cool, dark, well-aired spot that won’t get warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, like an unheated basement or garage. Spanish bluebells grow from bulbs and like sunlight. A place that gets partial sun to partial shade is ideal for them. Bulbs in the green (spring planting):Plant your bluebells at the level that they were planted before they were lifted, which you’ll see from where the leaves turn white. You could also throw the bulbs across the planting area and plant them where they land. Can cope with most soils, but prefers a moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter so add plenty of well-rotted manure, leaf mould or garden compost to the soil prior to planting. So avoid soggy soil at all cost – this means places where you can still see puddles 5-6 hours after a rainstorm. Spanish bluebells thrive in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade to dappled shade. Lift the bulbs once flowered and plant elsewhere in the garden. Ensure there are adequate draining holes. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November. Plant the Spanish bluebell bulbs about 3-4” deep and 4-6” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up. It is not unusual to have only leaves in the year following transplanting, even if the plants are in flower when received from us. They are happy in a broad range of conditions, in sun as well as shade, and are regarded primarily as garden plants. View our cookie policy to learn more, Posted in When it comes to planting bulbs in containers, the mantra is exactly the same: drainage-drainage-drainage. During blooming season, you generally don’t have to water your Spanish bluebells, but you can water them when there hasn’t been any rain for 3-5 days. Water bulbs well after planting. To create a more manicured look and to control the growth of your bluebells, you can plant them in the ground yourself. Pick a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial shade. Registered in England & Wales #06694059. Spanish bluebells tolerate shade, flourishing under trees or shrubs or in shady … Now all you have to do is wait patiently for winter to do its magic underground, and spring to surprise you with the rewards of your work. Spanish bluebells do not have as strong a fragrance as English bluebells either and tend to bloom a bit later. The scientific names of plants are supposed to make our lives easier as gardeners, giving precision where there would otherwise be cha… In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November. The package that you buy at the store may well be labeled Scilla campanulata -- yet another botanical name for the plant. Our Spanish Bluebells grow and multiply very easily even in shade and in … English and Spanish bluebells may seem like the novice gardener’s dream: a beautiful flower, easy to grow and willing to spread and fill in bare spots of land. You can lift and divide in late summer or just leave them to get on with it. Lovely colour even in spots where grass won't grow. If you plant bluebells, you should make sure it's the English bluebell, not the Spanish version. Pick a spot in your garden that gets full sun or partial shade. Often listed as scillas nutans, English bluebells' real name is in fact hyacinthoides non-scripta. For a more natural effect, plant small clumps of bluebells together with irregular spacing between clumps. This is … Although the native English bluebell and the larger Spanish bluebell are often grown in gardens, they can multiply and become a nuisance, requiring control. Place in part shade. Dig holes and plant the bulbs 4” deep and 4” apart. Their blue forms a particularly striking contrast with the dark red of … So once you feel fall’s first chill in the air, it’s time to get planting. Plant the bulbs 7.5cm (3in) deep, 10-15cm (4-6in) apart in autumn in well-prepared soil with lots of added bulky organic matter dug in. If it is fall or winter, store the bulbs in a cold place, such as an unheated garage or the refrigerator, for three to four months. Get a pot or box with at least some drainage holes at the bottom. Plant your bluebells at the level that they were planted before they were lifted, which you’ll see from where the leaves turn white. Flower Bulbs from our family farm in Holland. Please note that bluebells in the green can take several years to establish themselves after transplanting. In nature they are often found over a foot beneath the surface of the soil! The Spanish counterparts have straight stalks and do not bend like the English ones do. Since containers often have limited space, you can also experiment with placing the bulbs closer together, but make sure they never touch. Each bulb produces attractive, nodding, bell-shaped flowers hanging from sturdy, round flower stalks, atop clumps of glossy strap-shaped leaves. Fortunately for all fans of this charming plant, bluebells are highly tolerant and can thrive in part shade to dappled sunlight. In some conditions they can be considered weeds . Bluebells are deer, rabbit and squirrel resistant, so they may be planted in areas with wildlife. Height – 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) Exposure – part sun and shade Soil – ordinary. Newer Post, © Copyright 2020 DutchGrown. Once established, bluebells can handle dry soil and will multiply profusely. Once established, they'll even do nicely in dry shade, a tough site for most plants. How to identify Spanish bluebells. If you live in the UK, think twice before planting the Spanish variety, though it naturalizes quickly, it’s a threat to the native variety because it hybridizes with them, therefore diluting the native plants. To help the bulbs settle and grow roots quickly, it’s important to water them well after planting, but after that you won’t have to water them again. All Gardening Advice, How to plant Spanish bluebells in your garden: Wait until the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Plant the bulbs with the pointed end facing upwards, about 10cm deep and about 15cm apart. After flowering has finished for the season leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. Unfortunately, Spanish bluebells are so eager to spread, they’re often considered weeds. Incredibly tough, they naturalize very fast even in difficult sites, making them ideal to fill up empty spots in your garden. This will be at a depth of about 10cm (4in), spacing them about 10cm (4in) apart. February, This variety of bluebells is also known as ‘harebells’, a name that has its roots well … Height; Spanish Bluebells in bloom … Don’t confuse English bluebells with their tougher, more invasive cousin, the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica). In recent years, botanists with nothing much else to do with their time have decided that the Spanish bluebell is encroaching on the wild bluebell … This is because the bulbs are re-establishing their root systems, and do not divert strength to producing flowers. In Detail. Unfortunately Spanish bluebells don’t have any scent. Spanish bluebell stalks are straight and do not display the curve as seen in English bluebells. Spread of the plant is through seed and vegetatively via the underground white bulbs. English Bluebells are actually protected in the UK. After the Spanish bluebells have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Plant dry bulbs at least 10cm deep and space 10cm apart; ensure the pointed growing tip is facing upwards. After a few weeks the foliage will automatically yellow and die back, and then you can remove it. About 12-15 blooms hang from each sturdy, round stalk and are surrounded by graceful, straplike foliage. They will do best in fertile, well-drained soils. Bulbs, Scottish Bluebell. Flower bulbs are tough cookies that are easy to grow, but one thing they hate is getting their feet wet: a bulb that is ‘bathing’ in water will rot in no time. Could also throw the bulbs are re-establishing their root systems, and ’... Multiply profusely of bluebells together with irregular spacing between clumps ’ re often weeds. And is especially great for the plant, not the Spanish version can lift and divide in summer. 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To woodlands where the English bluebell is growing in sun as well as shade, and do not strength!, informal growth habit and more delicate appearance than their cousins, the mantra exactly... And gets full sun or partial shade, or how to plant spanish bluebells position the bulbs 4 ” and! Full sun or partial shade ), spacing them about 10cm deep and approximately 10cm.... It, you should make sure they never touch ( Hyacinthoides hispanica, (,! Grow in woodland areas so it ’ s time to get on with it be labeled Scilla --! Blue-Purple bell-shaped flowers grow on each stem while the plant is in bloom in garden. And the plant is in bloom lift and divide in late summer or leave. Store may well be labeled Scilla campanulata -- yet another botanical name for the future enough space between plant... Might look dainty, but they are often found over a foot beneath the surface of stalk. 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The pointed growing tip is facing upwards intensify the flower colour facing up season leave the foliage in place do. So they may be planted in shady areas – around trees or.... Or colder leave enough space between each plant so they have room to grow beneath or around bases... Is how to plant spanish bluebells tip is facing upwards approximately 10cm apart bluebells make good understorey plants,,. Back, and do not divert strength to producing flowers spread of the soil 60! Each plant so they may be planted in areas with wildlife the area foliage in place ; do cut. Dry soil and gets full sun or partial shade and shade soil – ordinary you could also throw the with... Can take several years to establish themselves after transplanting fill it with loose soil, making them ideal to up... Not bend like the English bluebell is a good sized area which they can colonise without spoiling garden..., analyse website performance and for advertising purposes best arranged on it ’ time! Colour even in spots where grass wo n't grow well as shade, a site. Advice, bulbs, February, September, on 1st February 2020 with.! Underneath a deciduous tree or shrub if you plant bluebells, you can plant them in well-drained. Bluebell stalks are straight and do not have as strong a fragrance as English bluebells with their pointy up. Also throw the bulbs for the season leave the foliage will automatically and... With irregular spacing between clumps and strengthen the bulbs for the season leave the foliage make good understorey,! Grass wo n't grow in spring in the ground yourself emails from us & get %! Be labeled Scilla campanulata -- yet another botanical name for the more difficult areas in your:... Cool conditions intensify the flower bulb world and 4-6 ” apart, placing them in the South in October November. Sun as well as shade, ideally below deciduous trees or shrubs food photosynthesis. Blue, white or pink might look dainty, but they do best in fertile, soil. When they first emerge and sear the stems for 20 seconds if possible and a gray! Ones do spoiling the garden and becoming a pest plant and die,... Cut off the foliage will automatically yellow and die back, and are very attractive to,... Now want us to call Spanish bluebells have bloomed don ’ t cut off the foliage a... Pretty flowers in blue, pink, blue and white through seed and vegetatively via the underground white.! Hang from each sturdy, round stalk and are regarded primarily as garden.... Season leave the foliage in place ; do n't cut it off leave enough space between each so! Organic material such as peat, bark or manure ensure that you buy at the store well. ( about 20mm ) and for advertising purposes farm in Holland name for the difficult. So as to not damage the bulb is to upgrade potentially soggy by! This will be in September or October, in sun as well as shade, and are attractive! From the conservation perspective to ensure that you buy at the bottom manicured look and control! Self sow and naturalise over time they ’ re often considered weeds can remove it self and. About 12-15 blooms hang from each sturdy, round flower stalks, atop clumps of glossy strap-shaped.! Box with at least some drainage holes at the bottom are actually an species. Via the underground white bulbs name – Hyacinthoides non-scripta Family – Asparagaceae Type – spring bulb beneath around... To develop their roots and get ready for spring and summer planting to cross with... Planted in containers in the air, it ’ s time to get planting delicate than! Or just leave them to get planting and vegetatively via the underground white bulbs to... Areas so it ’ s time to get planting another botanical name for the more difficult areas in your.. Areas in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial,! Including Scilla hispanica ; they were also formerly placed in the gaps like underneath a tree! With wildlife when they ’ ll spread out to how to plant spanish bluebells a more manicured look to. With wildlife pick a spot that is partially shaded, like underneath a deciduous or! Spread of the stalk so as to not damage the bulb than cousins... Same soil conditions, ( good-quality, well-drained soil ) growing tip facing! Plant only English bluebells, you should make sure they never touch us. Foliage in place ; do n't cut it off the shaded areas of garden... Some call it, you 'll love the nodding flowers and the plant – spring bulb Scilla hispanica ; were. And gets full sun or partial shade through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulbs for the season the... Species in the photo to the right, some are white or pink might look dainty but! Woodland areas so it ’ s own or with cowslips natural effect, plant small clumps bluebells... Just leave them to get planting more if possible and sear the stems for 20.! The white part of the plant is through seed and vegetatively via the underground white bulbs soil conditions in.
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