There can be confusion when comparing; English hyacinthoides non-scripta and Spanish hyacinthoides hispanica varieties;
Spanish bluebells;have unscented pale blue flowers, wider leaves and are stouter, taller, and more upright.
English bluebells; have slightly darker stems with the flowers only on one side that slightly curve as they mature.
The petals are unmarked hence the name; non-scriptus.
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Bluebells are useful plants for giving a ‘woodland’ look to a shaded area.
They grow to around 300mm high and flowers from late April through till June.
Because the bulbs have no outer skin they should be planted out as soon as they become available to avoid drying out.
If storage conditions are too dry or too damp they can soon shrivel up or go mouldy.
Cultivation;
Week 12; Feed established clumps as they come into flower and this will ensure the bulbs plump up for the following season.
Week 27; Divide plants after flowering and replant offsets immediately.
Plant the larger bulbs 50mm apart and 150mm deep.
Spread the smaller ones 25mm apart in shallow drills in a nursery bed to grow on to flowering size.
Week 35; Plant out new stock in groups 50mm apart and 150mm deep in moist but not waterlogged soil with added peat or leaf-mould.
Established clumps can be divided now.
Week 40; Mulch the area to conserve moisture.
