Hyacinthoides non-scripta

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bluebell

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Other common names

bell bottle, bluebottle, calver keys, common English bluebell, cover keys, crake feet, crow bells, crow leek, cuckooflower, culver keys, dog leek, dog's leek, English bluebell, fairy flower, harebell, single gussies, spreading bluebell, squill, wild hyacinth, wood bells, clychau'r gog

Synonyms

Endymion nutans
Scilla non-scripta
Endymion nonscriptus
Scilla nutans
Agraphis nutans

Plants for pollinators
Bulbs
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A vigorous, clump-forming bulbous perennial about 20-40cm tall, with linear, glossy dark green leaves to 45cm long, and erect stems bearing arching racemes of fragrant, narrowly tubular, mid-blue to violet-blue, or occasionally white, flowers in spring

Position

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

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–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

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
W Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 8cm deep in autumn in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out; spreads rapidly and has the potential to become a nuisance in the wrong place, but also a good plant for wildlife. See bluebells for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame when ripe, keep shaded and do not allow to dry out. Alternatively remove offsets in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required; can deadhead to prevent self-seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free