Spring is a magical time when gardens burst into color after the dreariness of winter. One of the prettiest sights is masses of blue bell-shaped flowers nodding in the breeze. Their delicate blooms evoke a whimsical, fairy-tale like charm.
If you want to fill your garden with these delightful flowers, here are 10 beautiful blue bell-shaped blooms that flower in spring
1. English Bluebells
English bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) blanket woodlands in a haze of violet-blue in spring. The tubular nodding bell-shaped flowers dangle from arching stems up to 18 inches tall. They are sweetly scented and bloom for several weeks starting in April.
These spring ephemerals emerge from bulbs and require well-drained soil and partial to full shade. English bluebells pair nicely with other spring flowers like hellebores and primroses. They spread easily to form eye-catching carpets of color.
2. Spanish Bluebells
Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) produce clusters of purple, pink or white bell-shaped flowers on upright stems in spring. They are bigger and taller than English bluebells, growing up to 2 feet tall.
While beautiful, Spanish bluebells are considered invasive in many regions. They aggressively spread via bulblets and seeds. Site them carefully in part shade borders or woodlands where they have room to naturalize.
3. Virginia Bluebells
Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) bloom in pink buds that open to reveal light blue tubular bell-shaped flowers in early spring. The blooms dangle from tall stems up to 2 feet high surrounded by oval green leaves.
These North American native wildflowers thrive in moist woodlands and stream banks. Their cheery blue color lights up shady areas. Plant en masse for an impressive display. Virginia bluebells go dormant after spring, disappearing until the following year.
4. Grape Hyacinths
Grape hyacinths (Muscari) produce vivid violet-blue bell-shaped flowers packed tightly together on spikes resembling bunches of grapes. The fragrant blooms appear in early spring, sometimes as early as March.
Grape hyacinth bulbs are winter hardy and easy to grow. Plant them in fall in groups for a striking spring display. They pair well with daffodils and other spring bulbs. There are also white and pink flowering varieties.
5. Bluebell Beardtongue
Bluebell beardtongue (Penstemon campanulatus) is a North American native perennial with showy lavender-blue bell-shaped flowers. It blooms in late spring on tall upright stems growing up to 3 feet tall.
With long tubular blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies, beardtongue thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established. Plant it in borders, rock gardens, or wildflower meadows.
6. Bellflower
Bellflowers (Campanula) encompass over 250 species of perennials with bell-shaped flowers. Popular varieties for the spring garden include:
-
Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium) – Tall spires lined with pink, purple or white blooms.
-
Carpathian Bellflower (Campanula carpatica) – Low mounds smothered in upward facing blue bells.
-
Clustered Bellflower (C. glomerata) – Dense clusters of purple bells on tall stems.
Plant these easy-care bellflowers in borders or rock gardens. They grow 1 to 3 feet tall and prefer full sun to partial shade.
7. Snakeshead Fritillary
Snakeshead fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) produces unique checkered bells in shades of pink and maroon atop thin stalks rising above grassy foliage in spring. This exotic looking flower thrives in moist soils and makes a distinctive addition to the spring garden.
8. Snowflake
Snowflake (Leucojum) offers graceful, nodding white bell-shaped blossoms on slender stems in early spring. They deliver a subtle beauty, often flowering at the same time as snowdrops. Plant snowflake bulbs in fall for a delightful spring display.
9. Snowdrop
Snowdrops (Galanthus) provide a hopeful sign that winter is ending, with nodding, bell-shaped white blooms that appear while snow still blankets the ground. These small bulbs multiply easily, creating carpets of white flowers in late winter and early spring.
10. Glory-of-the-Snow
Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa) produces starry blue flowers with white centers on short stems in early spring. Their upward facing blooms add a bright spot of color. Plant the bulbs in fall in groups for a cheerful display.
With their nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue and purple, these spring-blooming beauties bring an elegant, whimsical look to the garden. Plant them in borders, rock gardens, or wooded areas for a charming floral display.
What are the benefits of planting native Bluebell Bellflowers?
There are so many benefits to planting native plants like this one. Some benefits include:
- Super low maintenance: Bluebells need minimal care to thrive. They are known for popping up in the randomest of spots—in rocky areas or between sidewalk cracks.
- Comes back year after year: this is a perennial, or a plant that comes back year after year from the same roots. If happy, they will also re-seed themselves and spread. So plant once and enjoy for years!
- Easy to grow from seed: you can have a patch of Bluebells for under $5!
- Feeds native pollinators: Bluebell bellflowers provide native pollinators, including rare native bees, with valuable nectar.
- Gorgeous flowers. Beauty matters! A gorgeous landscape with native flowers lifts spirits. Plant a patch of Bluebells and see for yourself.
Worried about getting these mixed up?
We hear you—it is confusing. To make sure you’re looking at Bluebell Bellflower, using the Latin name is your best bet. If you’re looking for Bluebell Bellflower, ensure the plant tag says Campanula Rotundifolia.
“A Blue Spring” – how to make the sweet Liverleaf – Video Tutorial
FAQ
What is the spring flower that looks like a bell?
Daffodils. These springtime favorites come in hundreds of varieties. Many daffodil (Narcissus) cultivars have captivating bell shapes. ‘Jetfire’ and ‘Winter Waltz’ have charming recurved petals emphasizing the bell-shaped cup, while ‘Bell Song’ and ‘Fortissimo’ are colorful two-tone flowers with prominent cups.
What is a blue flower that looks like a bell?
Flowers: usually deep violet-blue in colour, bluebells are bell-shaped with six petals and up-turned tips. These sweet-smelling flowers nod or droop to one side of the flowering stem (known as an inflorescence) and have creamy white-coloured pollen inside. Some bluebell flowers can be white or pink.
What is a plant with blue bell-shaped flowers?
Spanish Bluebells, also known as “Hyacinthoides Hispanica” or “Wood Hyacinth”, are open bell-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of blue and occasionally pink or white flowers. The flowers grow during mid to late spring and are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
What flowers are mistaken for bluebells?
- Virginia Bluebells. Let’s start with an easy one. …
- Grape Hyacinth. Grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum) are bulbs that flower in spring and often mistaken for bluebells. …
- Spanish Bluebell. …
- Wood Hyacinth. …
- Siberian Squill. …
- Lungwort. …
- Blue Eyed Grass. …
- Blue Flags.
What does a Bluebell plant look like?
The Scottish bluebell is a delicate, charming perennial plant with blue-violet bell-shaped flowers. Pretty purple-bluish flowers dangle in clusters or singly at the end of slender, thin stems. The bell-shaped flowers bloom from late spring and throughout summer. Scottish bluebells grow 12” to 18” (30 – 45 cm) tall and up to 12” (30 cm) wide.
Do bluebells bloom in spring?
Bluebells are perennial, bulbous plants known for their vibrant blue, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in spring. When do bluebells typically bloom?
What color are bluebell flowers?
While blue is the most common color associated with bluebell flowers, there are actually several different color varieties available. Scottish bluebells, for example, are known for their blue-violet blooms, while Spanish bluebells can be pink or white. There are also hybrid varieties available that combine different colors, such as blue and pink.
Are bluebells a sign of spring?
Bluebells are among the most enchanting spring flowers, celebrated for their delicate, bell-shaped blooms and their ability to transform woodlands and gardens into magical, blue-hued wonderlands. These iconic blooms are steeped in folklore and are a sure sign that spring has arrived.
Are bluebell flowers common in North America?
Bluebell flowers are a common sight in Spring and Summer across North America. Whether hiking the Appalachian Trail in the East, or the Pacific Crest Trail in the west, you are likely to encounter blue, bell-shaped flowers. In fact there are 21 different species that put out clusters of blue, bell-shaped flowers native to North America.
What does a Virginia bluebell flower look like?
Virginia bluebell flowers are beautiful spring bloomers with trumpet-shaped blue-violet nodding flowers growing in clusters on erect stems. Virginia bluebells are native wildflowers in North America. The pretty blossoms emerge from pink buds before turning pale to sky blue, but sometimes pink and rarely white.