Bluebells, Hyacinthoides – Care & Propagation

Variety designations are difficult. On offer are Hyacinthoides non-scripta (nutans), the real bluebells from England, with darker blue flowers. The onions sold as Spanish bluebells are mostly simply hybrids of both varieties, which do not occur naturally in nature and have been bred specifically for sale. The correct name for this is Hyacinthoides x massartiana. Unfortunately, precise information is often missing. Well-known varieties are for example:

• ‘White Queen’—white
• ’Blue Queen’ – lavendelblau
• ‘White Triumphator’ – white
• ‘Excelsior’ – violet blue with lighter stripes
• ‘Dainty Maid’ – very large flowering variety with deep pink flowers
• ‘La Grandesse’ – pure white flowers

The care of the bluebells

The care of the bluebells is quite uncomplicated. With a good location and suitable soil, they form large stocks. Sometimes you even have to be careful that they don’t reproduce invasively. Otherwise, slightly moist soil must be provided, especially in the spring months, during flowering. Fertilizer can be saved if the soil is mulched. Alternatively, compost can be used. Overwintering is possible without any problems. The bulbs are sufficiently hardy. A few things have to be considered when keeping the vessels. Cutting can be avoided as far as possible, unless self-seeding is to be prevented. Then the withered flower stalks must be cut off. The leaves must be left standing until they turn yellow on their own. Then it is simply pulled out of the ground. Propagation is by sowing or dividing the bulbs. Diseases and pests are extremely rare. All in all, the bluebell is a grateful and easy-care bulbous plant.

location

The location should be bright, but not in full sun. Morning and evening sun are great. Half shade or light shade are ideal. Plants wither too quickly in the sun. The soil also dries out and dry out too quickly and the onions cannot absorb it. A certain soil moisture is necessary.

• Cool, spring-bright places
• No bright midday sun, morning and evening sun are better
• Partial shade is much better, then the flowers last longer
• Light shade is also suitable
• wood edge
• Under bushes and trees

plant substrate

It is important for the plant substrate that it is permeable. A certain amount of moisture is also beneficial. Soil that is too dry is of little help. Therefore, he should also be able to hold water a little. Too sandy and too loamy soil are bad.

• Well-drained, fresh soil
• Moderately nutritious
• Humus and a little wet
• Slightly acidic or slightly calcareous is tolerated
• No clay soil

plant

The bluebell is planted in autumn, like other spring flowering plants with bulbs as storage organs. In October is the best time. The right depth is important and that the bulb is planted in the right direction. Otherwise there is not much to consider.

• Plant in the fall, which is typical for spring bloomers
• Ideal month is October
• Plant the bulbs as soon as you receive them, either directly in the bed or in a planter first. They dry out quickly.
• Planting depth about 10 cm, two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall.
• Planting distance about 3 to 5 cm
• The tip of the onion must point upwards.

watering and fertilizing

Bluebells love slightly moist soil, so not too dry. However, the onions do not tolerate permanent moisture. You should always wait until the top layer of soil has dried before watering (finger test). Humidity is particularly important in spring. Fertilizers can be largely dispensed with.

• Keep the soil moist, especially in spring
• No waterlogging
• No drought, at least not for a long time.
• Mulching instead of fertilizing
• Alternatively, fertilize with compost.

To cut

There is not much work involved in cutting the bluebells. You can cut off the flower stalks after flowering. This prevents seeding. If you don’t mind the plants multiplying, leave them after flowering until they have yellowed. Then the flower stalks and leaves can be easily pulled out of the ground, similar to crocuses, tulips or daffodils.

In no case should the green leaves be cut off. They provide valuable nutrients for next year’s flowering, which are stored in the bulb.

The bulbs can be left in the ground as normal when all the foliage has yellowed. Alternatively, you can also take them out of the ground and keep them dry, dark and cool until autumn. They don’t come back into the ground until autumn.

hibernate

Bluebells are very hardy. You don’t need any special protection. Things are a little different in planters. There, the bulbs are at risk from frost and are often not resistant. They are much better off planted out.

multiply

Propagation is easy. The plants often self-seed. Accordingly, breeding from seeds is easy. However, the plants do not flower until the third year. Alternatively, the daughter bulbs can be used for propagation. Self-sowing in autumn or late summer.

sowing

• cold germinator. need cold period
• It is best to sow directly outdoors
• Propagation only succeeds where the plants really feel at home
• The division is simpler

division

• After flowering
• When the foliage has yellowed, remove bulbs from the ground
• Cut off daughter bulbs and replant when planting in autumn
• It is important that the onions can reproduce undisturbed. So it is inconvenient to put them in a bed where the soil is worked frequently. This means that there are hardly any daughter bulbs

diseases and pests

Diseases are rare. Bluebells are more robust than their delicate appearance would suggest. In bad conditions, fungi can spread on the leaves, but this rarely happens. Pests are also rare. Sometimes the onions are eaten by voles, which of course doesn’t do them any good.

• Rust fungus on the leaves
• rodent damage

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should you plant bluebells if you want them to naturalize and spread on their own?
A meadow would be suitable, something in a sheltered corner, preferably at the edge of trees, but also perennial plantings that require little maintenance and late-growing perennials. It is important that the onions can multiply undisturbed for many years. When it comes to lawns, it should always be remembered that they must not be mowed until the leaves of the bluebells have yellowed. This takes a while. So you can only start lawn care about 6 weeks later.
It is important that a larger quantity of onions is planted. You don’t even have to start with 10 pieces. Of course, they must not be placed in rank and file, but arranged as if at random.

What is the main difference between the Atlantic and the Spanish bluebell? Are there any major differences?
The leaves of the Spanish bluebell are slightly wider. The flowers are rather upright and are arranged around the stem. The plant looks a little stronger and stiffer overall and flowers a little later than the Atlantic bluebell. On the other hand, the plants cope a little better with drought. The blue of the flowers is not quite as strong. There are, albeit rarely, plants with white or pink flowers.

The Atlantic bluebell has rich blue flowers, but there are no other colors. The plants are ideal for naturalising, but they definitely need something moist and semi-shady. The flower bells all nod to the side, are not arranged all around. The plants can get quite tall, up to about 50 cm.