Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
Looking for bluebell flowers in the wild can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, it can also be a little confusing if you don’t know what to look for. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of bluebell flowers and provide tips on how to identify them.
We’ll also show you some pictures of each type so you can see what they look like. So get ready to learn about some beautiful blue blooms!
Related: Types of flowers | Types of windflowers
How many types of bluebell are there?
There are several different types of bluebell flowers, including the Spanish Bluebell, the Wood Anemone, and the Canadian Blue Bell. Each type has its own unique characteristics, so it’s important to learn how to identify them correctly.
What does a bluebell symbolize?
Bluebells are often associated with springtime and new beginnings. They can also symbolize happiness, love, and hope.
Where can you find bluebells?
Bluebell flowers can be found in many different parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Asia. They typically grow in wooded areas or meadows, and can be seen blooming from late spring to early summer.
Why is it called a bluebell?
The bluebell gets its common name from the bell-shaped flowers that it produces. These flowers come in shades of blue, white and pink, and they are often planted in gardens for their attractive blooms.
Additionally, the bluebell is named after the European Blue Bell (Campanula rotundifolia), a species of wildflower that is native to Europe. This wildflower is prized for its bell-shaped flowers, which come in shades of blue, white and pink.
Types of bluebell flowers
1. English Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
The English bluebell is the most common type of bluebell flower. It can be identified by its deep blue color and bell-shaped flowers. English bluebells typically grow in wooded areas, and can often be found near streams or ponds.
Characteristics:
It has a bell-shaped flower that is typically light blue or purple in color. The flower stem is also very thin and delicate, which can make it easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.
One identifying characteristic of the English bluebell is the small white patch on its petals. This means that if you’re looking for this flower in the wild, it’s usually easy to spot because of its color and shape.
The English bluebell is native to Europe, but has been introduced into North America as an ornamental plant. It can be found growing around forests or woodlands where there is plenty of moisture, which makes it hardy enough to survive in most climates. The English bluebell has been cultivated since the 16th century and was considered one of Queen Elizabeth I’s favorite flowers.
Growing tips:
It’s best to grow this plant in full sun, but partial shade will also do. The soil should be rich with organic matter and well-draining so it doesn’t get waterlogged or flooded when it rains heavily.
The English bluebell is a perennial that can reach heights of up to 60cm tall (24 inches). Its flowers bloom between April and May, each lasting for about three weeks before dying off.
2. Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica)
The Virginia bluebell is a type of wildflower that can be found in the eastern United States. It has light blue flowers with a pinkish hue, and grows in colonies that can often be quite large.
Characteristics:
It has light blue flowers with a pinkish hue. It grows in colonies that can often be quite large. It is a type of wildflower found in the eastern United States. The flowers bloom in the spring.
Growing tips:
In order for the Virginia bluebell to thrive, it needs moist soil. It prefers shade and can be seen growing in forests or along woodland streams. The flowers bloom in the spring. To help this species of bluebell spread its seeds, don’t remove them from their original location; just let nature take its course!
3. The Bluebell of Scotland (Campanula rotundifolia)
The bluebell of Scotland is a type of wildflower that can be found in parts of Europe and Asia. It has deep blue flowers with a white center and typically grows in clumps.
Characteristics:
-The flowers are a deep blue color.
-They have long, slender stems.
-The leaves are narrow and pointed.
Growing tips:
-The plants grow best in partial shade with moist soil.
-They prefer cool summers and mild winters.
-They will bloom from April to June if planted outdoors during springtime or fall months of September through November. However, these types of bluebells can also be found growing wild all year long if they have been planted in the ground outside before winter arrives.
-The plants do well when they are planted near streams or ponds so they have access to water at all times throughout their growing season, which is usually between April and July depending on where you live. You can also place them next to a sprinkler system that runs automatically every day if necessary during these months as well.
-If you want to keep your bluebells indoors, they should be placed in a cool room with bright light but no direct sunlight hitting them directly at any point during the day because this could cause scorching on their leaves and stems due to sunburn or even death from heat stroke if left out too long outside without water.
4. Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica)
Spanish bluebell is a popular spring-flowering bulb from Spain that produces clusters of beautiful flowers. The color of the flower varies from white to pale violet, but most often it’s purple or dark pink.
The leaves are narrow and lance shaped, with pointed tips. They grow in pairs along either side of the stem; each leaf is about 12-15 cm long.
The flowers grow in clusters of up to 20 blooms and have a sweet fragrance. The petals are reflexed (point backwards), and the stamens extend beyond the petals.
This bluebell prefers partial shade, and grows well in moist, but well-drained soils. It often spreads by seed or rhizome, and can become invasive in the right conditions.
The Spanish bluebell is native to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. It has been introduced into North America (US and Canada) where it grows as a garden flower or an escapee from gardens. In some parts of the US it’s considered as invasive species that can threaten native plants.
In the UK, there are many cultivars of Spanish bluebell available for gardeners because it’s easier to grow and more attractive than the English variety. The Spanish bluebell is not as common in gardens as the Dutch hyacinth or tulip, but it does well when planted along with these larger bulbs.
Characteristics: These flowers have a deep blue color and are bell-shaped. They grow in clumps and have long, slender stems.
5. Hybrid Bluebell (Bluebell Hybridisation)
The hybrid bluebell is a cross between the Spanish and English bluebells. This can be found in gardens or parks where both varieties grow together. It has characteristics of both parents, with purple petals (like its Spanish parent) but also white markings on each petal’s inner surface (like its English parent).
Characteristics: This flower is a mix of the two types of bluebells, and has both purple and white petals. It grows in clumps like the Spanish bluebell, but has long slender stems like the English bluebell.
Growing tips:
If you want to try growing Spanish bluebells in your garden, they can be planted from bulbs in the fall. They prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soils. The bulbs should be spaced about 12 inches apart.
6. Campanula (Bellflowers)
Campanula is a large and diverse genus with about 300 species that are native throughout the Northern Hemisphere, in Asia, Europe, and North America.
The majority of campanulas prefer cooler weather than other popular garden plants. Many varieties bloom for several weeks during the summer months but others bloom earlier or later in the season depending on their variety.
Flowers come in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. They are often favorites of butterflies and bees.
Leaf: The leaves are generally lance-shaped with toothed edges and a pointed tip.
Campanula flowers are similar in appearance to some true bellflowers (genus Campanula), which is the source of their common name.
Growing tips: Campanula flowers grow from long, slender stems that emerge from a basal rosette of leaves. The flower stem is often branched and can reach up to 24 inches in height.
The best way to identify campanula flowers is by their bell-shaped blooms. Look for plants with nodding (hanging) flowers that are usually solitary and borne on short stems.
The flowers can be white, blue, purple or pink in color and they have five petals fused at the base into a bell-shaped corolla tube.
Campanula flowers produce seed capsules that contain seeds which may be dispersed by wind or water currents if left to mature on the plant.
FAQs
What’s the difference between Spanish bluebells and English bluebells?
Origin: Spanish bluebells are native to the Mediterranean region and some parts of Africa, while English bluebells grow naturally in Europe.
The two species have different flower colors – Spanish bluebells are usually purple or lavender with white tips; English bluebells typically have pale pink petals which turn darker as they age.
Both species have nodding flowers, but Spanish bluebells tend to have smaller blooms than English bluebells.
What is the difference between Spanish and native bluebells?
Spanish bluebells (Campanula patula) are a non-native species that was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s. They are similar in appearance to English bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia), but Spanish bluebells typically have smaller flowers and their leaves are more sharply lobed than those of native bluebells.
English bluebells tend to grow in woodland areas, whereas Spanish bluebells prefer grassland or meadow habitats. Both types of bellflowers are perennial plants that bloom from late spring through early summer; however, the blooms on English Blue Bell flowers last longer than those found on their Spanish counterparts (up to two months).
The best way to tell the difference between Spanish and native bluebells is by their leaves – Spanish bluebells have more sharply lobed leaves than native bluebells. Additionally, English bluebell flowers are larger than Spanish bluebell flowers, and they typically have darker pink petals. If you’re not sure which type of bluebell you’re looking at, it’s best to check with an expert.
What’s the difference between hyacinth and a bluebell?
Hyacinths (Genus Hyacinthus) are a bulbous plant that is native to the eastern Mediterranean region. They are often planted in gardens for their fragrant, bell-shaped flowers, which come in shades of blue, white, and pink.
Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia), on the other hand, are a species of wildflower that is native to Europe. Their flowers have five petals fused together at the base into a bell-shaped corolla tube; they come in shades of blue, white and pink too!
Hyacinths grow from bulbs whereas Bluebells grow from seeds or rhizomes (horizontal underground stems). The seeds of bluebells are dispersed by ants, who carry them away in their mandibles (jaws) because the seedpods have a sweet coating that attracts these insects.
Hyacinths produce fragrant flowers with six stamens inside each bloom. Bluebells do not produce any fragrance at all, but their flowers do have six stamens inside each bloom as well.
Hyacinths are usually grown in gardens for their fragrant blooms; bluebells can be found growing wild or cultivated in gardens too! Hyacinth bulbs should always be planted at a depth of about five inches deep with the tip facing up (pointing towards the sky) for best results.
Are bluebells poisonous?
Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia) are not poisonous to humans or pets, and they have been used traditionally as a folk remedy to treat rheumatism in some parts of Europe. However, the sap from bluebell leaves can cause skin irritation if it comes into contact with your eyes; this is why you should always wear gloves when handling this plant.
Bluebells are also a popular choice for decorating gardens because they attract butterflies and bees, which help pollinate other plants nearby.
Can I remove bluebells from my garden?
Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia) are a perennial plant that will come back year after year, so you don’t have to worry about removing them from your garden.
In fact, bluebells are often cultivated in gardens because they attract butterflies and bees, which help pollinate other plants nearby. Additionally, the leaves of bluebells are edible; they can be eaten raw or cooked, and they have a sweet flavor similar to spinach when sauteed in butter with salt and pepper.”’
How long do bluebells last?
Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia) typically last for two to three weeks, but their blossoms can last for up to two months. The best way to tell the difference between Spanish and native bluebells is by their leaves – Spanish bluebells have more sharply lobed leaves than native bluebells. Additionally, Spanish bluebells produce more flowers than native varieties.
How many petals does a bluebell have?
The number of petals on bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia) can vary from one to five, but they usually have between three and seven per flower head.
Are bluebells weeds or flowers?
Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia) are flowers, not weeds. They are a perennial plant that will come back year after year, and they are often cultivated in gardens because they attract butterflies and bees, which help pollinate other plants nearby.
What time of year do bluebells bloom?
Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia) typically bloom in the spring, but their blooms can last for up to two months.
How do I care for my bluebell plants?
Bluebells are easy to grow and don’t require a lot of care. They prefer moist, well-drained soil in shady areas, and can tolerate light shade or full sun. They can be planted in the ground or a container, such as an old bucket filled with dirt. It is important to water them regularly so that their leaves don’t turn yellow from lack of water.
Conclusion
Bluebell flowers come in a variety of different colors and sizes. One thing all bluebells have in common, however, is their delicate beauty that blooms for just two weeks each year before disappearing back into the ground to wait until next spring.
