Are Spanish bluebells invasive?
Spanish bluebell is hardy, robust and easy to grow, but it can be invasive, spreading both by seed and by bulb, and is difficult to get rid of. Divide and replant the clumps after flowering and before the leaves die back. Bear in mind that it’s illegal to dig up clumps of bluebells in the wild, and this method applies to bluebells growing in gardens only. You can also save seed from bluebells and sow them immediately in pots of compost.You can grow bluebells in a shady corner of a garden with moist but well-draining soil. It’s best to plant bulbs, which you can buy from garden centres, because it can take years for bluebells to grow from seed.Spanish Bluebells bloom for about 2 weeks in late April to mid- May and are perennial flowers, which means they die and come back every year.Bluebells are resistant to many herbicides commonly used in the garden. Applications of herbicide are best made after the plant has flowered, flower heads should be cut to prevent the formation of seed. Repeat applications will be required to deplete the soil seed bank.
Do Spanish bluebells naturalize?
Spanish Bluebell is a bulbous perennial herb that grows up to 1 1⁄2 foot tall and has showy, bell-shaped, lavender-blue flowers. Flowers bloom in late spring and each bulb produces multiple flower scapes and the corolla is not fused. This plant is clump-forming, naturalizes easily, and can become weedy. Spanish Bluebells are robust growers that love a ‘woodsy’ environment with well drained humus rich soil. They grow as spiky clusters of flowers that give off an appealing scent and make a pleasing addition to cut flower bouquets.Spanish Bluebells A shade-tolerant plant that bears spikes of lightly fragrant, lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers toward the end of the bulb season.The Spanish bluebell is more vigorous than our native bluebell, so can outcompete it for resources like light and space. It can hybridise with our native, too, producing fertile plants that show a whole range of mixed features from both species.Spanish bluebell flowers can be cut and brought indoors without injuring the plant. After flowering is finished, allow the foliage to die back completely on its own. While its foliage is still green, the bulbs are taking in nutrients via photosynthesis and storing energy for next year’s blooms.Bluebells usually flower from late March to early May, but it does vary from year to year. They are one of the last spring flowers to bloom before the woodland canopy closes up and new leaves block out the sunlight.
Are Spanish bluebells poisonous?
The bulbs are easily mistaken for spring onions or garlic. Bluebell sap is believed to cause dermatitis and skin irritation. All varieties of bluebells contain glycosides, and therefore all varieties are poisonous. ARE BLUEBELLS POISONOUS? Yes, every part of the bluebell plant is toxic to humans, dogs and livestock – and their sap can cause skin irritation. Another reason to look (and smell) but not touch!Spanish bluebells are also poisonous for dogs and cats — accidental consumption can lead to symptoms of poisoning and nausea.Bluebells are poisonous to dogs because they contain a toxin that affects the heart. Bluebell poisoning will normally result in an upset tummy, but if eaten in very large amounts, it can be fatal.It is possible that this lady had Spanish bluebells in her garden and they certainly can become invasive. The best way to get rid of excess bluebells is to hand dig them, while in growth, and let them dry out before composting, or let them rot in a bucket of water.Where’s best to plant bluebells? Bluebells are woodland plants, so they grow best in partial shade with moist but well-drained soil. Adding leaf mould, manure or garden compost to the soil will ensure they have plenty of nutrients.
What is the difference between Spanish and English bluebells?
The flowers are on one side of the arching stems and have a delicate, sweet scent. The narrow, strap-shaped green leaves are about 1. Spanish bluebells – flowers are a lighter blue and are larger than those of English bluebells. They are unscented and are positioned all the way around upright stems. Flower and stem The individual bells of the native bluebell are narrow with straight sides and have petals which curl back at the edges. The stem is curved, with most of the bells hanging to one side. The bells of Spanish bluebells are more cone-shaped and their petals tend to flare rather than curl back.If you want to help your bluebells spread, lift and divide bulbs after flowering. 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.In the language of flowers, the bluebell is a symbol of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. It is said that if you turn a bluebell flower inside-out without tearing it, you will win the one you love, and if you wear a wreath of bluebells you will only be able to speak the truth.It’s not necessary to pull dead bluebells up unless you don’t want them to regrow the next year. You’ll only need to deadhead their spent flowers if you want to prevent them from spreading their seeds,’ Petar explains.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.
Should I dig up Spanish bluebells?
Always try to buy native English bluebells rather than Spanish or hybrid ones which can take over in a garden and escape into the countryside. It’s illegal to pick or dig up wild bluebells so make sure your new plants have been cultivated by a reputable source and that they haven’t been imported from abroad. It’s also worth noting that true Spanish bluebells are very rare in cultivation here and very rarely escape – almost (if not all) all the Spanish ones here are actually hybrids .Last month I answered a question on how to get rid of Spanish bluebells, counselling that digging them up when they are in leaf. Marion Bolton has sent in this handy little tip: The way to get rid of Spanish bluebells is to trample the leaves.