Author: BITM

While flowers dominated my thoughts last week, there were moments when I enjoyed observing bees and butterflies too. I saw my first male Orange-tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) and female Red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) of the season; both visiting Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale). Other butterflies I noticed were more Speckled woods (Pararge aegeria) and Peacocks (Aglais io). All were too busy making the most of the sun to remain still long enough for me to photograph them.

After threatening to rain last Sunday, with distant thunder in the afternoon and evening, wet weather eventually arrived the following weekend. On Friday it rained late in the day through to Saturday afternoon. The ground loved that sustained soaking and together with all the sunshine we’ve had recently the grass is beginning to flourish. Thankfully lots of wild flowers bloom despite the lack of water, including;

– Ivy-leaved toadflax which is also called Kenilworth ivy (Cymbalaria muralis),

– Lords and ladies, otherwise known as Cuckoo-pint (Arum maculatum),

– Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata),

– Dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis),

– Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and

– Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis).

The main spring spectacle of the English countryside however are English Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) woods in full bloom. Photos of these have filled social media over the past week. I am lucky enough to live near to several woods where English bluebells flower, however due to the lockdown this year I have to make do with spotting the ones amongst the headgerow, on my way to the allotment. Thankfully even small scale sightings of these flowers makes my heart soar. Swathes of these beauties are an indicator of ancient woodland (they are slow growers with seeds taking five years to become bulbs, which then flower). 

English bluebells continue to be under threat from the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) escaping from gardens, brought to these shores by the Victorians, which readily hybridise with English ones to produce the Hybrid bluebell (Hyacinthoides x massartiana). However, this isn’t the only threat to our native Bluebell. Habitat destruction is another reason for their decline. Simply walking on them can prevent them from flourishing for years afterwards as photosynthesis is prevented and the plant is weakened. They are a protected species under the ‘Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981)’. This means that people can be prosecuted for removing the plants and bulbs from their habitat and/ or selling them. 

It is possible to tell the English and Spanish Bluebells apart.
English Bluebells are a deep violet shade of blue with creamy-white pollen. The leaves are narrow (1-1.5mm wide) as are the flowers. The tips of each petal (six in total) curl up and inwards. The scented flowers grow on one side of the stem causing it to arch over to the one side (referred to as inflorescence).

Spanish bluebell flowers are pale blue (but can be pink or white), have a wider open bell shape with flared petal tips and bloom all around the stem, which therefore remains upright. The leaves are also wider (by 3cms) than its English counterpart and the flowers have no scent. 

Unsurprisingly the hybrids possess characteristics of both parents, however their appearance tends to be more like the English Bluebell meaning distinguishing the two can sometimes be difficult. 

Last week I saw both English and Spanish Bluebells on my daily exercise.

Bluebells are interwoven into our culture. In the past the sap was used to glue feathers to arrows and in book binding. Plus the Elizabethans used the bulbs to starch collar and sleeve ruffs.

In folklore they are associated with fairies while in the language of flowers (popular in the Victorian era) they represent humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. What better flower to have bloom during this difficult time when we are showing our appreciation for the NHS and other frontline workers. It seems even nature has turned blue in solidarity.