Spanish Bluebells vs English Bluebells How to Tell the Difference Between These Classic Spring Flowers
As spring arrives, carpets of beautiful bluebells emerge in woodlands and gardens across Britain But not all bluebells are created equal. Two types commonly grow in the UK – the native English bluebell and the introduced Spanish bluebell
Though they may look similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between these two classic spring bloomers. Read on to learn how to tell Spanish bluebells and English bluebells apart.
Introducing the English Bluebell
The English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is Britain’s native variety, gracing ancient woodlands for centuries. Its scientific name literally translates to “not written upon” referring to the lack of markings on the petals.
English bluebell flowers have a delicate tubular shape formed from six elegant petals – three outer spreading sepals and three inner upright petals. The blooms droop gently to one side on slender, arching stems.
The petals are a deep violet-purple blue, sometimes fading lighter toward the tips. Each petal has a slightly darker stripe up the middle. The creamy white pollen provides a lovely contrast.
When in full bloom, millions of English bluebells carpet shady woodlands in a sea of violet-blue. Their nodding flowers evoke images of fairies and woodland magic. The plants thrive in dappled shade beneath deciduous trees.
One of the most enchanting traits is the sweet, warm, honey-like fragrance English bluebell flowers exude. You’ll notice the lovely scent as you stroll through a bluebell wood.
Key ID Points:
-
Narrow tubular purple-blue flowers on one side of arching stems
-
Delicate bell shape with petals curling back
-
Sweet, honey-like scent
-
Cream-colored pollen
-
Narrow leaves
-
Blooms April-May, in woodlands
Meet the Spanish Bluebell
So how do Spanish bluebells differ from these delicate native woodland beauties? The Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) was introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant. It has since escaped and naturalized in many areas.
Spanish bluebell flowers are borne on upright, straight stems rather than gracefully arching ones. The small bells face outwards all around the stem in a complete circle rather than drooping to one side.
The flower color also tends to be lighter, with more baby blue or lilac shades rather than deep purple. There’s also much more variety – they come in white, blue, pink, and lavender. The tubular petals have slightly flared, open tips giving them a bell-like rather than tube-like shape.
Spanish bluebell foliage is broader than the grassy leaves of the English species. The plants are larger and more robust overall.
A key difference is scent – Spanish bluebells lack the sweet, creamy fragrance of English bluebells. Their pollen is also blue-green rather than white.
While English bluebells thrive in shade, Spanish bluebells are happy growing in full sun. This adaptability allows them to spread readily in gardens, roadsides, and open areas.
Key ID Points:
-
Light blue, pink or white bell-shaped flowers all around upright stems
-
Lack of scent
-
Blue-green pollen
-
Broad leaves
-
Tolerates sun
-
Naturalizes readily
Subtle Differences in Bloom Period
There are also subtle variations in blooming time, with English bluebells flowering slightly earlier.
English bluebells generally bloom first, beginning in mid-April and lasting through May. Spanish bluebells start flowering in late April, overlapping for a time with the English variety while extending their bloom season into early June.
So in early spring, sightings of bluebells are more likely to be the English type. Later in spring, Spanish bluebells join the mix, with both species flowering together.
Why Care About Protecting the English Bluebell?
Some may wonder, does it really matter if Spanish bluebells mix with English bluebells in UK woodlands and gardens? Unfortunately, the English bluebell faces some threats from this introduction.
First, Spanish bluebells can cross-breed with the native English bluebell, creating fertile hybrids that dilute the English bluebell’s distinct traits over time. The wild English bluebell genome is at risk of being altered through hybridization.
Second, Spanish bluebells can aggressively outcompete English bluebells for space, light, water, and nutrients if left unchecked. The more vigorous Spanish bluebells may crowd out native bluebells in their woodland habitat.
That’s why it’s important to control Spanish bluebell spread. Gardeners can help by planting only English bluebells. Avoid dumping yard waste where Spanish bluebells may invade wild areas. Promote conditions favoring English bluebells in ancient woodlands where they occur.
Appreciating Both Types of Bluebells
Both types of bluebells have their merits – English bluebells for their delicate old world charm, and Spanish bluebells for their vibrant colors and versatility.
The key is control. Enjoy non-invasive Spanish bluebells responsibly in gardens where they’re unlikely to spread. Let English bluebells gracefully reign in their native ancient woodland homes.
With some awareness and care, plant lovers can help protect the beloved English bluebell for generations to come. These ethereal spring flowers have delighted woodland visitors for centuries. Ensure future generations can enjoy their fleeting floral spectacle as well.
How to Tell if Bluebells are English or Spanish:
English Bluebells:
-
Deep purple-blue tubular, drooping flowers clustered on one side of stem
-
Delicate bell shape with curled back petals
-
Sweet, warm, honey-like scent
-
Blooms mid April to late May
-
Thrives in shade; found in ancient woodlands
Spanish Bluebells:
-
Light blue, pink, white bell-shaped flowers around upright stem
-
Flared, open flower tips
-
Lack scent
-
Bloom late April into June
-
Happy in sun; spread readily into open areas
How to identify Spanish bluebells
Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) are sturdy plants, taller, and with broader leaves (about 20mm). Others think of them as garden plants because they do well in a lot of different conditions, like sun and shade.
There are more flowers, at least 25, of a lighter blue color, all around the strong, upright stems. Every petal has a deeper blue stripe down the centre. The flowers are an open bell shape, and the petals have a more gentle curl. The pollen is blue or pale green.
A lot of people say that Spanish bluebells don’t smell very good, but the ones in my garden do. I can smell them every time I enter or leave the house, which makes me think they might be hybrids. For me, their scent seems more floral, and less mysterious than English bluebells, but still very attractive.
If someone gave you examples of both species to compare, these tips would make it easy to tell them apart. If you draw bluebells as fairies’ bonnets, I think they must be the Spanish type, since the fairies’ heads would be too big to fit the English ones (just saying!).
Bluebells spread by multiplication of the bulbs and by seed. The Spanish ones cross readily with the English and reproduce faster. Problems arise because the hybrids between the two forms are fertile too, producing abundant seed. Because hybrids are so different, it can be hard for even experts to tell them apart without DNA testing. This makes it hard to get them to stay away from native populations.
I like all kinds of bluebells, even the Spanish “newcomers” that many people are afraid of and don’t like (it’s important to note that the cat is out of the bag because the Spanish form was brought to the UK about 250 years ago).
I don’t know who first planted the Spanish ones in my garden. My heart wants to believe it was my dad, but my head tells me he was a big fan of nature, so it’s more likely to have been one of my first gardening experiments. I remember buying various types of bulbs from a local market in those early days.
Whether the experiment turned out well or not is a matter of perspective. If you’re new to gardening, it’s best to start with something that will live almost on its own, without any special care or fancy techniques. If durability is important to you, these bright bulbs have grown well in my small garden for at least 25 years, quietly spreading. There’s a good chance they’ll live another 25 years, unless they can physically crush each other to death in such a small space.
At their peak, between mid to late spring, they look splendid. This picture of them was taken in early evening light which has lent them a pinkish, purplish hue. Only a harder heart than my own could deny their fresh, confident beauty.
They have, however, pretty much smothered out every other bulb that came into my garden before or after them. In theory, the wild bulbs in Sunnyhurst Wood, just a couple of miles away, are in danger because of a plant that lives in my garden. This plant includes many hundreds of thousands of English bluebells. People often say that the Spanish bluebell will eventually overrun the English bluebell if it gets among them, just like the big grey squirrel has almost pushed the red squirrel out of English woodlands.
A wood carpeted with English bluebells is a wonderful sight, far more magical than my humble domestic bliss. My problem, though, shows that it’s easier to say we want to protect the Earth than to actually do something about it.
Should I pull up all of my Spanish bluebells, which would truly break my heart? Would the wild ones be safer?
If I really wanted to get rid of them, which I think would take a long time, I would have to get rid of the bulbs in a safe and eco-friendly way, because if I didn’t, they might do more damage than good. As suggested, the leaves should be cut back and the bulbs should be left to dry out for a few months so they die and shred.
There are many streets of houses between us, so no direct wildlife corridor. I’ve noticed many of my neighbours are growing Spanish bluebells too – the blue, pink and white kinds. It might be better to grow these than to trade in the wild species that are now protected. And you could argue that the Spanish and hybrid forms are better garden plants.
Both the English and Spanish types have grown in well-known English gardens, though in different spots. For example, at the Dorothy Clive Garden (pictured above), I saw both types growing. They have far better horticultural credentials than me, yet they don’t seem unduly concerned.
A slow walk through Sunnyhurst Wood about a week ago reassured me that the wild population is also doing well, for now, even though there are Spanish bluebells in the houses next door. It gets easier to see that bluebells are more varied than the accepted groups say they are the more I look at them, especially in gardens. Even though I know it’s not true, I would think that the English bluebells are changing the Spanish ones, not the other way around.
Learn more about the interaction between Spanish bluebells and native populations and why scientists are now suggesting that in wild populations, English bluebells tend to win out over time in this BBC article.
Find out where bluebells are and add your UK sightings on the bluebell map.
How to identify English bluebells
English bluebells (Hyancinthoides non-scripta), our native variety, have slender, tubular bells of a deep, purple blue colour. Each petal has a darker stripe in the middle, but the edges aren’t easy to see unless the petal is taken off the flower. The petals turns backwards in a curl giving a dainty effect. The pollen is creamy coloured.
The stems (called scapes) are long and slender, tapering gradually to the tip. Because the flowers are only on one side of the scape, it tips over and forms a beautiful bow, like a shepherd’s crook. Each scape has eight or so flowers towards the tip. The leaves are narrow – about 10mm.
The smell of English bluebells is unique. It’s sweet, warm, and complex, and I think it has a lightness to it, not strength. They do best in the shade of deciduous trees in woodlands, especially old ones, after they have flowered (in late April or early May). You can also find them in hedgerows.
The difference between English and Spanish Bluebells
FAQ
What is the difference between Spanish and English bluebells?
Are Spanish bluebells a threat to English bluebells?
Are Spanish bluebells invasive in the US?
Do Spanish bluebells multiply?
What is the difference between Spanish bluebell and English bluebell?
Flowers: Spanish bluebells have larger, more open flowers than English bluebells. They are also unscented, while English bluebells have a sweet fragrance. Stems: Spanish bluebells have upright flower stems, while English bluebells have arching flower stems. Leaves: Spanish bluebells have wider leaves than English bluebells.
Are Spanish bluebells under threat?
But this much-loved plant is under threat. 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.
Are native & Spanish bluebells the same?
At a glance, native and Spanish bluebells can easily be dismissed as being the same, but a closer look reveals some easy to spot differences that will let you distinguish between the two easily.
Are Spanish bluebells hard to grow?
Spanish bluebells are easy to grow and care for, but they can spread both by seed and by bulb. This can make them difficult to control, especially in areas where they are not native. Spanish bluebells are often confused with English bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), but there are a few key differences between the two species.