General Description/History

These are quite rare cut flowers in Australia and can only be found for about 4 to 6 weeks in August through to October. Hyacinthoides nonscripta is the bluebell native to Britain, but it is likely most of the bunches available in Australia are crosses between this species and the Spanish Bluebell H. hispanica, as many garden varieties are bred from these species. As they are bulb flowers and field grown, availability can vary depending on the whether – lately the season has been early due to the warm winters we have been experiencing.

Bluebells bear several (5 to 10) bell-shaped flowers per stem where the petals flex back as they open. Stems are short, usually less than 50 cm and fleshy. Each flower is about 2 to 3 cm long, and, not surprisingly, they are pale blue in colour. If you are very lucky you can also find white or pink bunches. Fresh bunches should have a subtle scent. They are a much-loved wildflower in England and grow well in gardens in southern Australia, providing there is sufficient water.

Bluebells are grown in the field in the cooler areas near Melbourne, Sydney, and in Tasmania.

What to look for

• About 1/2 of the flowers are open.
• Avoid bunches with drooping flowers.

Flower Care

• Keep cool whenever possible.
• Split bunches and strip leaves (if any) from the lower half of each stem.
• Wash each stem thoroughly.
• Recut at least 1 cm off each stem with sharp secateurs and place in water immediately.
• Preservative is essential – this will help buds to open.
• Replace water every day.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

In the Language of Flowers, the bluebell means ‘humility’, or ‘gratitude’.
The Bluebell is Britain’s unofficial national flower.
One of its traditional English names is ‘Granfer Griggles’!
Bluebell walks are held annually at sites around Britain and a Bluebell Service is held annually at Withland Wood in Leicestershire.

Not to be confused with the Australian Royal Bluebell, which is Wahlenbergia.

Botanical Name: Hyacinthoides nonscripta syn. Scilla nonscripta

Common Names: Common Bluebell, Wild Hyacinth

Stem Length: 20 to 40 cm

Country of Origin: Britain, Western France

Available Colours: Blue, Pink

Season: Spring

Availability: October,November