BLUEBELLS

We have more bluebells at Filnore Woods this year than ever before.  

There were just a few hanging on in the hedgerows when we founded Filnore Woods.  In those days (1997-8) most of the site was 'improved' grassy fields used for silage and occasional grazing.  But over the last twenty years the bluebells have gradually spread through the woodlands and individual seeded plants have reached maturity and started to flower.  Things can only get better.

Our native English Bluebell (Hyacynthoides non-scripta) is restricted to north-west Europe, mostly Portugal, Britain and the Netherlands so it is one to cherish and protect.  It has distinctive flower spikes that droop over. 

The Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) and the hybrid between the two (Hyacynthoides massartiana) have erect flower spikes, broader leaves and blue anthers - the English anthers are creamy white.  The Hybrid Bluebell is the one usually planted in gardens.

The flowers are shorter and wider than the English bluebells and the ends of the petals don't curl back so much.

It can be quite hard to tell.