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Asparagaceae
Common Bluebell
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Humility, gratitude, constancy, everlasting love.
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Hyacinthoides
- Native to
- Western Europe
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- bulbous perennial
- Height
- 20–50 cm
- Sunlight
- Partial to full shade
- Soil
- Humus-rich, moist, well-drained
- Water
- Moderate in spring, dry in summer
- Hardiness
- 4–9
- Lifespan
- Perennial
Did you know
- Britain holds nearly half the world's population of common bluebells, creating the famous 'bluebell woods.'
- Bluebells are a protected species in the UK — it's illegal to dig them up from the wild.
- All parts of the plant are toxic, containing glycosides similar to digitalis.
- Bluebell sap was used in the Bronze Age to glue feathers onto arrows and in Elizabethan times to starch ruffs.
- It can take 5–7 years from seed to flower, and ancient bluebell woods are considered indicators of undisturbed ancient woodland.