English and Spanish Bluebells

Both English Bluebells and Spanish Bluebells can be found in the Well Hill Area. The Spanish Bluebells are mainly confined to gardens while the English Bluebells dominate the woods around the area.

The English Bluebell is under threat from the Spanish Bluebell. The English and Spanish Bluebells can cross pollinate but it is the attributes of the Spanish Bluebell that dominate. If the spread of the Spanish Bluebell is not halted, it will take over the English Bluebell.

Differences between the English Bluebell and the Spanish Bluebell

The following two photographs were taken on May 12th 2006 at the north part of Well Hill about 100 metres apart.

The English Bluebell is usually found in woods. It is unusual to find it on open ground. When the flowers are fully formed, the stalk of English Bluebells curves downwards to give its characteristic look. One why to help identify an English Bluebell is to see if all the flowers are in the same side of the stalk. As all the flowers on an English Bluebell are on the same side of the stalk, the effect of gravity pulls the stalk over into a beautiful curve.

The Spanish Bluebell is usually found open ground. It is unusual to find it in woods. When the flowers are fully formed, the stalk of Spanish Bluebells is straight. One why to help identify an Spanish Bluebell is to see if the flowers are all around the stalk. As all the flowers on an Spanish Bluebell are on the same side of the stalk and the stalk is thicker than the English Bluebell, the effect of gravity does not operate in the same way on the Spanish Bluebell so that it keeps its characteristic straight stalk.