Growing Virginia Bluebells - What Are Virginia Bluebell Flowers

About Virginia Bluebells Flowers When bluebells first emerge in early spring, they have striking, deep purple foliage. ... The flowers bloom early to mid-spring and continue into mid-summer, when the plants go dormant. Bluebells flowers are showy. They hang down in clusters of lavender or blue bell-shaped flowers.

What do Virginia bluebell seeds look like?

Virginia bluebell completes its life cycle and disperses its seed in late May early June and quickly goes dormant. The seed develops at the base of the flowers inside the calyx forming an inverted cup with four small hard seeds in each. The seed changes color from green to light brown and then black as it matures.

Do Virginia bluebells spread?

Virginia bluebells grow and spread from rhizomes, persistent underground stems that store energy collected during the plant's brief growing season. They also increase by seeds, stored in half-inch nutlets that mature as the green growth yellows and the plants go dormant.

What is a bluebell flower?

Bluebell flowers are dainty bulbous perennials that provide a profusion of color ranging from deep purple to pinks, whites and blues from April to mid May. Although some confusion may arrive from various English and Latin names, most bluebells are also known as wood hyacinths.

Are Virginia bluebells invasive?

Virginia bluebells often forms dense colonies and will readily self seed under ideal conditions – almost to the point of being invasive.

Do bluebells multiply?

Although the native English bluebell and the larger Spanish bluebell are often grown in gardens, they can multiply and become a nuisance, requiring control.

How fast do Virginia bluebells spread?

Virginia bluebells spread readily by seed, moving outward from an original planting at a speed of a foot or two a year.

Do bluebells like sun or shade?

If we take a cue from their natural habitat it will be no surprise to learn that bluebells thrive in partial shade, under deciduous trees or shrubs and need moist but well-drained soil.

Should I cut back bluebells?

Pruning and caring for bluebells

Don't cut them any earlier, since the plant needs to drain its leaves from all their nutrients to prepare for the following blooming cycle. Bluebells should normally propagate themselves naturally as years go by.

Is it against the law to pick bluebells?

The bluebell is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). This means digging up the plant or bulb in the countryside is prohibited and landowners are prohibited from removing bluebells from their land to sell.

Are bluebells poisonous to dogs?

Bluebell plants and bulbs contain 'scillarens', chemicals that reduce the heart rate. This can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and disorientation in dogs.

What are pink bluebells called?

Providing masses of colour and flowering with true elegance every spring, Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Queen of Pinks' really is bluebell royalty. If you have a large space to fill, this vigorous pink Spanish Bluebell (possibly more aptly named 'Pinkbell') is a great naturaliser and will be just the ticket.

Are bluebells poisonous to humans?

All parts of the bluebell plant contain toxic glycocides that are poisonous to humans, dogs, horses and cattle. If any part of the plant is eaten, it can cause serious stomach upset, and if consumed in large quantities, may be fatal. The bulbs are easily mistaken for spring onions or garlic.

Can you touch bluebells?

The Woodland Trust

All parts of the bluebell plant contain toxic glycosides that are poisonous to humans and animals including dogs, horses, and cattle. ... In some people, direct contact with the plant can cause skin irritation, known …

Do deer eat Virginia bluebells?

Like most spring ephemerals, Virginia bluebells emerge early in the season before significant leaf cover, bloom, and go dormant by mid-June. They are deer-resistant: a major plus for suburban and rural gardeners.

What month do you plant bluebells?

Bluebells can be planted in the spring as ready plants, or more economically as bulbs in the Autumn.

How long do bluebells last?

How long does the bluebell season last? Depending on the weather, the bluebell season can last a couple of weeks, generally appearing first in the South where it tends to be warmer before sweeping across the country.

What should you do with bluebells after flowering?

Aftercare. After flowering has finished for the season leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulbs for the future. Please note that bluebells in the green can take several years to establish themselves after transplanting.

How do you keep bluebells from spreading?

The only solution is to dig out every scrap of bulb and then to remove the flower heads of any that do grow as soon as they have flowered, to stop the spread of seed.

How do you move bluebells?

Dig up a clump with a spade, making sure you dig deep, so you don't slice into the bulb. Divide them into small clumps (with leaves on) and replant at the same depth. Cut off the flowers – you don't want the bulbs putting energy into making seed. Take it out once it has flowered.

Do bluebells flower every year?

Do bluebells flower every year? Bluebells are perennials which means they flower annually.

Can I Grow Bluebells from seed?

Growing Information

Sown seed may take 9 - 24 months to germinate. From germination to flowering normally takes about five years as the plant first has to grow a bulb. In deciduous woodlands or plantations that cast enough shade to prevent grass growth in summer, the cheapest way to establish Bluebell is from seed.