Bluebell Flowers: Beautiful and Whimsical Perennials

Bluebell flowers grow from North America to North Africa and are a favorite flower, no matter which side of the Atlantic they grow on. The flowers are seen in gardens and along pathways, gracing meadows and glens, tucked away in shady forest areas and carpeting woodlands.

Bluebells poke their heads out in spring, usually between April and May, and are a welcome messenger of warmer weather. Bluebells can bloom through the summer months if conditions are right.

The flowers are enchanting, shaped as they are into captivating bells and painted in sky blue. Whether you come across one or many, they are sure to catch your eye.

Delicate little bluebells could almost make one believe in fairies and magical things, and it comes as no surprise that the bells are believed by some to actually call fairies to their meetings.

If you are fortunate enough to encounter these flowers, your spirits will surely be lifted. Indeed, how much better our world has been and is, blessed by lovely bluebell flowers.

Perhaps another reason these flowers are so charming is that they are shaped like little bells.

Bluebells are also called:

• Auld man's bell
• Blaklocka
• Bush tucker (Australian bluebell)
• Calverkeys
• Campanula
• Common bluebell
• English bluebell (Europe, British Isles, most often found in woods)
• Harebell
• Jacinth
• Ring-o'-bells
• Scottish bluebells
• Spanish bluebells (Europe, British Isles, most often seen in gardens)
• Virginia bluebell (Canada, U.S.)
• Wild hyacinth
• Wood bells

• Hyacinthoides non-scripta grows in woodlands and in other shady places.
• Hyacinthoides hispanica, also known as the Spanish bluebell, shows up in gardens and can grow out in the countryside.
• Hyacinthoides x massartiana is a common hybrid.

• Bluebells are a perennial and, as such, are usually grown from a bulb, although seeds are available.
• They've been spotted growing in shady areas, such as woodlands, under trees and under bracken and even near sea cliffs.
• While they are common in the British Isles, they do not grow in all places in Britain.
• Hybridization has occurred, which, it is believed, has impacted natural bluebells, due to invasive Spanish bluebells.

Actual bluebell woods are found in all parts of Great Britain, in Ireland and in other locations in Europe.

Bluebells make their appearance in areas where new leaves form a canopy above. Bluebells thrive in shady areas and will carpet the forest floor, suppressing competing ground cover, but for all that, lending an utterly charming effect.

Efforts are in place to protect bluebell woods along with other ancient woodlands and to identify and preserve bluebell flowers for future generations.

In Britain, through the months April-June, the Bluebells Walks Season is geared at encouraging people to participate in up to 100 Bluebell Walks in an effort to spot and identify bluebells growing in Britain.

The Bluebell Walks season is designed to help preserve bluebells in Great Britain. This effort has been initiated in concert with the Natural History Museum, aimed at gaining a better understanding of factors that are impacting on the bluebell.

Those who participate in Bluebell Walks are instructed to try to find different types of bluebells and include their findings in an online survey conducted by the Natural History Museum. This data will be used to chart where different types of bluebells are flowering.

The common bluebell is so revered, it is now protected in the United Kingdom. The National Trust is active in preserving the Nation's bluebells for posterity and many hectares of woodland are now protected.

Additionally, gardeners are cautioned against planting Spanish or hybrid bluebells near native populations.

Not to be forgotten, the Scottish bluebell is another variety that has a clearly defined bell and is every bit as lovely as its counterpart. It is also known as the Harebell. This is the best known Canadian species, and it is found from the Yukon Territory to the Atlantic provinces.

In Canada, bluebells flower somewhat later, making an appearance from June through August.

This type of bluebell has a clearly defined "hood."

Another beautiful bluebell is the Australian bluebell (Wahlenbergia stricta).

This flower has does not have the classic bell shape but its delicate petals come out in a lovely shade of pale blue.

These little gems are edible and can be used to pretty up punches or for decorating sweets.

The bells can range in color from:

• Purple
• Pinkish
• White
• Blue (the blue color is clearly a favorite)

Bluebell flowers are beautiful and whimsical perennials, bringing delight to the soul and senses, wherever they are found.