Cllr. Jill Whitehead reports:-

Bluebells are particularly distinctive with their vibrant blue-purple flowers. There are two types of bluebell found in the UK, native and Spanish bluebells. Cross-breeding between the two species means you may spot flowers which combine traits from both.

Native (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

Native Bluebells

Deep violet-blue. A genetic mutation occasionally causes white flowers

Flower stem droops or nods distinctly to one side

Almost all flowers are on one side of the stem, hanging down to one side

Flowers are a narrow, straight-sided bell with parallel sides

Petal tips curl back

Flowers have a strong, sweet scent

Spanish (Hyacinthoides hispanica)

Spanish Bluebell

Pale to mid-blue, often also white or pink

Flower stem is stiff and upright

Flowers are usually all the way round the stem, with the flowers sticking out

Flowers are a wide open, almost cone shaped bell

Petal tips flare slightly outwards

Flowers have little or no scent at all

Bluebells can link us to our woodland past

Native bluebells can be found in ancient woodland – a rich habitat that supports a huge array of species. Ancient woods are those in existence since before 1600, and may link back to the wildwood that grew across Britain after the last Ice Age.