James H. Schutte
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Plant Common Name
Bluebell
General Description
One of the signature wildflowers in woodlands of England and western Europe, this spring-blooming bulbous perennial has long been treasured for its dainty clusters of violet-blue flowers.
Small, conical, underground bulbs give rise to long, glossy, strap-shaped leaves in early spring. Arching, one-sided clusters of 6 to 12 nodding, honey-scented blooms are borne in mid-spring atop slender, arching, calf-high flower stems. The tube-shaped flowers have six back-curving lobes at their tips. The leaves die back after flowering.
This hardy bulb grows best in partial sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in the filtered light of deciduous trees. In England, it carpets the floor of numerous "bluebell woods." English bluebell self-sows readily where happy and is not grazed by hungry deer. Cultivars include white-flowered 'Alba' and pink-bloomed 'Rosea'. Most bulbs sold as English bluebell are actually hybrids with Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica), which bear erect flowers in relatively symmetrical clusters on straight flower stems.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Sunset Zone
2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 15
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
8"-16" / 20.3cm - 40.6cm
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Width
2"-3" / 5.1cm - 7.6cm
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring
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Native To
Western Europe, United Kingdom
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Blue, Pink, Light Blue, Blue Violet
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
