Hyacinthoides hispanica

RHS Plant Profile
Spanish bluebell

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Spanish bluebell RHS

Other common names

greater Spanish bell-flowrd jacinth, large bluebell, Spanish squill

Synonyms

Endymion campanulatus, Hyacinthoides campanulata, Hyacinthoides hispanica blue, Hyacinthoides hispanica mixed, Scilla campanulata, Scilla campanulata mixed, Scilla hispanica

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This plant is listed as an invasive non-native species in Northern Ireland – see Cultivation section for details A robust, bulbous perennial to about 40?cm tall, forming clumps of upright, strap-shaped, glossy green leaves. In spring it produces upright flower spikes bearing broad, blue, bell-shaped flowers with blue to blue-green anthers, arranged all around the stem

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Hyacinthoides are bulbous perennials with linear to strap-shaped leaves and bell-shaped or star-shaped blue, violet or white flowers in spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Spain to NW Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause it to grow in the wild in Northern Ireland. See RHS advice on bluebells and invasive non-native species for further information

Propagation

See cultivation notes

Pests

See cultivation notes

Diseases

See cultivation notes