w
Country life
Introduced by the Victorians as a garden
plant, the Spanish bluebell has made it
‘over the garden wall’ and out into the
wild. Here, it crossbreeds with our native
plants and produces fertile hybrids with
a mix of characteristics.
You can learn to tell the difference
between the two. Native bluebells have:
a distinctive ‘droop’ like the top of a
shepherd’s crook, sweet, cool perfume,
narrow bell-shaped flowers with rolled
back tips and creamy white pollen. Non-
native bluebells have: upright stems, no
scent, conical bell-shaped flowers with
open tips and blue pollen.
Photo: Close-up Bluebells by Mark Heighes
Taking a walk through a sweet-
smelling carpet of nodding bluebells is
one of the definitive experiences of an
English spring, and one that many of
us look forward to every year. But don’t
forget - it’s not just about the colour. The
flowers have a distinctive if subtle sweet
scent: get down amongst the nodding
flower heads and take a deep sniff.
Discover more about bluebells at
www.wildlifetrusts.org/bluebells
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife
Trust, working for a better future for
wildlife and wild places in Hampshire
and the Island.
Phone: 01489 774 400
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.hiwwt.org.uk
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife
Trust, Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane,
Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP
Photo: Bluebells (one white) by Mark Heighes
Photo: Bluebell Woods by Chris Bean
Join us today and enjoy the benefits of being a member of
the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust:
• Unlimited visits to 57 wildlife reserves in Hampshire and the Isle
of Wight and 2,500 reserves nationwide.
• A welcome pack when you join.
• Wildlife, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s magazine,
delivered to you three times a year.
• The chance to take part in local group and community activities,
offering you a variety of opportunities to be involved in. More than
350 walks, talks and events throughout the two counties.
• Join by Direct Debit & receive your FREE full colour Local Wildlife
Reserve Guide.
www.visitilife.com
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