Bulb
English bluebell
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Flowers in April | Flowers in May | ||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in September | Plant in October | ||||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in April | Looks good in May |
Overview
A bluebell wood in May is one of the great sights of these islands, and a corner of your own garden can echo it. The native bluebell has narrow, deep violet-blue bells that hang from one side of an arching stem, cream pollen and a sweet scent. Spanish bluebells and the hybrids between the two are stiffer and more upright, with flowers all round the stem, paler pollen and little fragrance; they are vigorous and can swamp natives.
Where to grow english bluebell
Mimic a deciduous woodland: shade from trees or shrubs that leaf up after the bluebells flower, and moist, humus-rich soil. Under a hedge, beneath a birch or in an unmown area near a fence are all good places.
Planting
Plant dry bulbs in early autumn, 10cm deep, as soon as you receive them because they dry out quickly. Plants in the green can go in after flowering in spring. Wild bulbs are protected by law in the UK, so check that suppliers grow their own stock.
Care through the year
Spring
Enjoy the flowers and leave the leaves to feed the bulbs. Avoid walking on the foliage, which damages plants.
Summer
Bulbs are dormant. Leave the ground undisturbed.
Autumn
Mulch with leaf mould to keep the soil rich and moist.
Winter
Nothing to do; shoots emerge from late winter.
Pruning
No pruning. Leave seed heads if you want plants to spread, or cut them off to stop seed travelling.
Propagation
Bluebells increase by bulb offsets and by seed, slowly forming carpets. Sow fresh seed in a shaded pot or simply let it fall; seedlings take several years to flower.
Common problems
They have few pest problems. The main issue is hybridisation with Spanish bluebells: dig out and bin any upright, scentless types nearby, and don't put them in green waste where they might spread. Rust occasionally spots the leaves.
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in September and October. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.