Plant Spotlight: English Bluebells
Last fall I planted some Hyacinthoides non-scripta back in the maple grove. I planted them along the pathway interspersed with some daffodils. I’ve been patiently waiting for them bloom and late last week they finally started blooming. I read about these lovely in A Year at North Hill : Four Seasons in a Vermont Garden and added them to my list of must have plants. Since we have a lot of shade due to the many large trees, I’m always looking for beautiful things to plant among the woodlands.
English Bluebells. Circa 1500s, this fragrant, woodland naturalizer features dark violet-blue, pendant flowers on strong spikes. Commercially grown in the Netherlands as Scilla nutans (synonymous with Scilla non-scripta), this is most closely related to the indigenous English Bluebell, also known as the Wild Hyacinth. (from Van Engelen)
These little beauties should spread and eventually carpet this area of the garden, which I’m especially happy about because nothing grows in this area. Another great benefit is that these are deer resistant, since we have a big problem with deer eating everything in site that makes bluebells all the more attractive.
What’s your biggest issue that you have to keep in mind when choosing garden plants?
Filed under Around the Garden | Comments (8)
I love bluebells. They always make me think of “I Capture The Castle”
to Louisa's comment
What gorgeous blue flowers! We use mostly natives here. I have no shade in the garden, so I have to choose plants that will tolerate a lot of heat and full sun.
to daisy's comment
I always have to worry about leaving room in the yard for my girls to play. That, and sunshine.
to Rhonda's comment
Stunning colour, especially in the sunshine!
to Mark and Gaz's comment
What little beauties! I think I may have some out in my sanctuary now.. I’ll have to go look at them closer.
I always have to keep 2 things in mind..
1. I have no more space… unless I get rid of something, and
2. my back yard sanctuary is full shade to mostly shade and my front yard is full sun.
to KimH's comment
Thanks for sharing your pix. The flowers look gorgeous planted amid the rocks
to Debra's comment
So pretty!
I planted something similar from Van Engelen last Fall, http://vanengelen.com/catview.cgi?_fn=Item&_recordnum=3068&_category=Best:Camassia.
Mine are just starting to poke through the soil though.
to elizabeth's comment
I planted my bulbs in a raised bed last Fall, hoping to move them this year to different areas. Do you know when the best time to transplant would be?
to elizabeth's comment