How do bluebells reproduce?

If your bluebells thrive, spreading will also happen naturally via bulb division and seed. Dense clumps of bluebells may eventually out-compete more delicate spring plants or spread to the 'wrong' place in your garden.

1. How do bluebells multiply?
2. Do bluebells self seed?
3. How do bluebells spread?
4. Is it illegal to dig up bluebells?
5. What to do with bluebells when they have finished flowering?
6. Can you dig up bluebells and replant them?
7. When should I plant bluebell seeds?
8. Do bluebells flower twice?
9. Why are Spanish bluebells bad?
10. Why are my bluebells turned white?
11. Can I move bluebells in flower?
12. Do bluebell seeds turn into bulbs?
13. What are the green pods on bluebells?
14. Can bluebells be pink?
15. What do bluebells smell like?
16. Are bluebells good for wildlife?

How do bluebells multiply?

Spanish bluebells spread by roots connecting the bulbs underground. This allows them to fill in great swaths of land and take over an area. If they come in contact with native English bluebells, the Spanish version will cross pollinate and come up the next season as a hybrid plant, stronger than the original parent.

Do bluebells self seed?

Over time, bluebells will gradually self-sow and naturalise – you can lift and divide them in late summer, or just leave them to get on with it.

How do bluebells spread?

The problem. Bluebells can spread rapidly. They seed freely and often hybridize when grown together. The bulbs can also persist in garden compost heaps.

Is it illegal to dig up bluebells?

The bluebell is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). This means digging up the plant or bulb in the countryside is prohibited and landowners are prohibited from removing bluebells from their land to sell.

What to do with bluebells when they have finished flowering?

Allow the foliage to die down naturally after flowering. It is a good idea to remove the faded flower spikes before they set seed to prevent the plants self-seeding and spreading where they aren't wanted. Bluebells are rarely troubled by any pests or diseases.

Can you dig up bluebells and replant them?

Plant single bulbs six inches deep and six inches apart. You can also transplant them 'In the Green', meaning when they're bearing leaves and flowers. Please do not dig them from wild areas though since one of the biggest threat to wild Bluebells is people digging them up for their gardens.

When should I plant bluebell seeds?

English Bluebell seeds should be sown in autumn or early winter , either outside, where they are to flower, or in seed trays and covered lightly with compost.

Do bluebells flower twice?

Bluebells are perennials which means they flower annually. They spend the spring soaking up energy from the sunshine and store the energy in their bulb over winter, waiting to bloom again. Did you know?

Why are Spanish bluebells bad?

English and Spanish bluebells (and presumably the hybrids) are poisonous. They contain chemicals called glycosides, which are toxic for humans, dogs, horses, and cows. All parts of the plant are toxic. Eating any part of the plant can trigger nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a decrease in the heart rate.

Why are my bluebells turned white?

White Bluebells

“Very occasionally, within a population of bluebells, a genetic mutation may occur, which results in a white flowered bluebell. ... Bluebells are under threat from habitat destruction and hybridisation with non-native bluebells and can also be badly damaged by trampling.

Can I move bluebells in flower?

If you want to help your bluebells spread, lift and divide bulbs after flowering. ... Dense clumps of bluebells may eventually out-compete more delicate spring plants or spread to the 'wrong' place in your garden.

Do bluebell seeds turn into bulbs?

Growing Information

Sown seed may take 9 - 24 months to germinate. From germination to flowering normally takes about five years as the plant first has to grow a bulb.

What are the green pods on bluebells?

The petals of the flower are usually blue and are joined together to form a tube, shaped like a bell. The flowers of the bluebell are at their best in late April and early May. When the flowers die, green seed pods are formed. By July these will be dry and brown and full of small black seeds.

Can bluebells be pink?

All three bluebell species can be found in pink or white versions. These occur as rare natural mutations but are often propagated and sold by the nursery trade. It is quite likely that genetic material of each colour has been introduced onto campus numerous times in the past.

What do bluebells smell like?

Fragrance of Bluebell

The olfactive profile of the Bluebell is reminiscent of the Hyacinth. It is not a very strong fragrance but it becomes very noticeable when walking through a Bluebell wood. We describe it a green-floral, as it is oily-green and quite intoxicating.

Are bluebells good for wildlife?

If you fancy planting bluebells in a shady part of your garden, try to pick the native variety. Not only will you help to prevent the spread of invasive, non-native species into the wider countryside, but you will also provide food and shelter for a range of our native insects, from bees to butterflies.