If you have been walking in the woods over the past few weeks, chances are you have come across a quintessentially British sight: deep violet-blue carpets of English (or common) bluebells. Blooming in April and May, they are the last of the Spring flowers to emerge from the woodland floor before the leaf canopy thickens overhead and blocks out the sunlight.
Although native to Western Europe, half of the world’s common bluebells can be found in the UK, where they are a protected species. Most grow in, and on the edges of, ancient broadleaf woodlands, but they also grow in hedgerows and grassland and even on coastal clifftops.
Unfortunately, the English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is under threat from the invasive Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica). The Victorians introduced the Spanish bluebell as a garden plant, but in the early 1900s it escaped beyond the garden fence. Let loose in the countryside, it has been found to outcompete and cross-pollinate with our native species to produce vigorous hybrids, particularly in urban areas.
As spring arrives and woodlands across Britain burst into bloom, one of the most beloved sights is the carpets of bluebells gracing shaded areas. However, while we may think of bluebells as quintessentially British, some are actually Spanish interlopers So how can you tell Spanish bluebells and English bluebells apart?
A Tale of Two Bluebells
There are two main types of bluebell found growing wild in the UK
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English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) – also known as British bluebell, common bluebell, or wild hyacinth Native to the UK
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Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) – introduced to the UK from Spain and Portugal.
English bluebells are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to remove bulbs from the wild. No such protection exists for Spanish bluebells.
While superficially similar, several differences make it possible to distinguish between these two spring blooms when you know what to look for.
Key Identification Features
Here are the main differences between English and Spanish bluebells:
Flower Shape
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English: Long, tubular flowers that curl back at the tips. Usually deep violet-blue.
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Spanish: Conical or bell-shaped flowers with straight, open tips. Paler blue or pinkish.
Flower Arrangement
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English: Flowers hang on one side of the stem, nodding their heads to one side. Creates a sweeping arc effect.
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Spanish: Flowers encircle the entire stem, not just on one side.
Scent
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English: Sweet, delicate fragrance.
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Spanish: No scent.
Flower Color
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English: Deep violet-blue, sometimes white.
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Spanish: Pale blue or pinkish, often white.
Petal Tips
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English: Tips curl back tightly.
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Spanish: Tips spread open.
Pollen Color
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English: Creamy white or pale yellow.
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Spanish: Blue or greenish.
Stem
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English: Slender arching stem that droops under the weight of the flowers.
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Spanish: Stiff, upright stem.
Leaves
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English: Narrow leaves, usually 1-1.5cm wide.
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Spanish: Broad leaves, often around 3cm wide.
Habitat
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English: Ancient woodlands.
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Spanish: Woodland edges, roadsides, gardens.
Flowering Time
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English: April to early May.
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Spanish: April to late May.
Why It Matters
Telling English and Spanish bluebells apart is important for conservation. Here’s why:
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English bluebells are considered an indicator of ancient woodland. Protecting them helps preserve these fragile ecosystems.
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Spanish bluebells spread aggressively and can cross-pollinate with English bluebells, diluting native strains.
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Hybrids of English and Spanish bluebells often lack the rich color and delicate scent of pure English bluebells.
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English bluebell seeds and bulbs are protected to stop wild populations being eroded. No such protections exist for Spanish bluebells.
So when admiring bluebell displays this spring, take a moment to notice subtle differences that reveal their origins. If in doubt, look for the nodding, one-sided arc of flowers on slender drooping stems – the signature of our iconic English bluebell.
Hybrid Bluebells
Cross-pollination between Spanish and English bluebells produces hybrids. Hybrids show intermediate features, like:
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Paler color than English bluebells
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Less dangling flower stems
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Reduced scent
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Upright growth habit
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Pink or white flowers more common
Over time, repeated hybridization can eliminate the English bluebell as a distinct species. Hybrids are increasingly common in urban woodlands.
How to Stop Hybridization
To protect English bluebells, avoid planting Spanish bluebells where they could spread into nearby woodlands. Other tips:
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Remove Spanish bluebells from gardens near woodlands.
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Dispose of garden waste like cuttings carefully to prevent spread.
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Join conservation groups protecting ancient woodlands.
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Volunteer to help monitor bluebell populations.
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Share your knowledge to help others identify bluebell types.
The Takeaway
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Two types of bluebell grow in Britain – native English and introduced Spanish.
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English bluebells are protected, Spanish are not.
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Look for flower shape, arrangement, scent and color to tell them apart.
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Hybrids have intermediate features and threaten English bluebells.
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Take care not to plant Spanish bluebells near woodlands to prevent hybridization.
So go enjoy those bluebell carpets, but take a moment to check – is it English or Spanish surrounding you with that violet-blue springtime haze? Being able to tell the difference helps protect the fragile uniqueness of our woodland ecosystems.
How to tell the difference?
It is fairly easy to spot the difference between Spanish and English bluebells.
English | Spanish | |
Flower colour | Deep violet-blue (occasionally white) | Pale blue; also pink and white |
Flower shape | Narrow, tubular bells with tips that curl back | Open, conical bell, with open, spreading tips |
Stems | Arching with flowers on one side | Upright with flowers on both sides |
Pollen | Cream-coloured | Blue- or pale green-coloured |
Leaves | Narrow, ~1.5 cm wide | Broad, ~3 cm wide |
Scent | Sweet scent | Little or no scent |
Although Spanish bluebells are very pretty and easy to grow, be aware that they are likely to outgrow their welcome in your garden. They multiply rapidly and are very deep-rooted, which makes them incredibly difficult to eradicate once established.
A few bulbs in my garden (which, to be honest, I don’t remember planting, so may have seeded in my garden from elsewhere) rapidly spread within 3–4 years throughout one of my herbaceous borders. They were lovely to look at and were a big hit with the bees, but they were complete thugs, forming dense clumps that started to smother smaller plants in the border.
So, I recently spent several hours trying to dig them all out. I found all sizes of bulbs at varying depths, and I definitely didn’t manage to remove them all. I’m sure I’ll be digging them out for several years to come.
- Ideally, plant native English bluebells rather than Spanish bluebells. They grow best in free-draining soil in partial shade.
- Buy English bluebell bulbs from reputable sources to ensure they have not been sourced from the wild.
- Don’t plant Spanish bluebells if you live near woodland where English bluebells are growing.
- Cut off seed heads of Spanish bluebells after flowering to stop the windborne spread of seeds outside the garden.
- Dispose of Spanish bluebell bulbs responsibly in council garden waste collections so they don’t end up somewhere they shouldn’t be.
- Be aware of the law. English bluebells are a protected species, which means it is illegal to pick, uproot or damage them.
- Stick to designated paths through woods and avoid trampling bluebells. They can take years to recover from damaging footfall.
The difference between English and Spanish Bluebells
FAQ
What is the difference between Spanish and English bluebells?
The flowers are on one side of the arching stems and have a delicate, sweet scent. The narrow, strap-shaped green leaves are about 1.5cm (½in) wide. Spanish bluebells – flowers are a lighter blue and are larger than those of English bluebells. They are unscented and are positioned all the way around upright stems.
Are Spanish bluebells invasive in the US?
Yes, Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) are considered invasive in the U.S.. While native to Spain, Portugal, and northwest Africa, they have naturalized in many areas of the U.S. and can aggressively spread, outcompeting native plants.
Do hummingbirds like Spanish bluebells?
… to mention, hungry deer and rabbits seem to be the only ones immune to the charm of these delightful blooms, as butterflies and hummingbirds can’t get enough
Do English bluebells grow in America?
The English native Bluebell often symbolizes the arrival of spring and has a light, sweet fragrance. Fun fact: Bluebell woods are common in the UK, but you can also find them in the US (Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic Region).