Bluebells : Bluebells ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) Or Coral bells : Coral Bells ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) Coral Bells ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) Not much of a show this year - but at least they survived the transplant from my old garden.
We dig up hundreds of bluebells each year, we just can't get rid of them. They even flower in the compost heap.
Very pretty Tina. Wow! Kildale! They are indigenous wildflowers in England, aren't they? Sounds like they do very well in British Columbia too. I have been trying to cultivate bluebells in my New England garden. This year (year 3) they might have reached good blooming size, but I burnt them to a crisp with a run-away burn pile. They are re-sprouting, but not quite so vigorous. Maybe next year?
I love the bluebells too. It is amazing to see them everywhere about town. I find it funny that so many people don't like them because they are so common. I took a big bouquet to work today for May Day. The smell was heavenly. It is probably true that you couldn't get rid of them in this climate even if you wanted to. Their bulb system is amazing.
Both are very pretty,Tina, but the Bluebells have the edge for me. CM,they most certainly are,but our English Bluebells are under threat from a Spanish form . This wonderful sight is about 20miles from here. English Bluebells,West Woods,Nr Marlborough ( photo / image / picture from Kiasmum's Garden )
Wow, Kiasmum! That is spectacular!!! I love the deep blue of the flowers. Are they really as deep as the picture shows? Are the Spanish bluebells taking over because they have been imported & are somehow hardier? England being an island I think of it as being more protected from runaway plants.
CM,they are quite dark when crowded together but not so when spaced apart. Yes,the spanish ones are more invasive and stronger...the other problem is that ours hybridise with them and crossbreeding dilutes the unique characteristics of our native Bluebell. I found this : Native bluebells... have narrow leaves, usually about 1cm or 1.5cm (about half an inch) wide, have deep blue (sometimes white, rarely pink), narrow, tube-like flowers, with the very tips curled right back. have flowers mostly on one side of the stem only, and distinctly drooping, or nodding, at the top have a distinct, sweetish scent Inside the flowers, the anthers with the pollen are usually cream. Spanish bluebells... have broad leaves often 3cm (over an inch) wide have paler blue (quite often pink and white ones too), conical or bell-shaped flowers that have spread-out tips. have flowers all round the upright stem have almost no scent. Inside the flowers, the anthers with the pollen usually blue (although this may vary a little).
KM--For color alone I think I prefer the Spanish ones. Unfortunately, I think what I have in my garden is the Spanish variety...hmmm. Good luck with protecting your native bluebells.
They are beautiful. I don't have any of these. I know some things can be invasive but if you keep an eye on them you can keep them in check. I may try some of them...
