There is something quintessentially British about Bluebell bulbs. When going for a country walk through the woods in the Spring, is there a more pleasing sight than a carpet of English Bluebell flowers? Happy little blooms, dancing in the wind, providing a sea of colour. It makes you feel all warm inside, doesn't it?
It's the sort of look that many people want to recreate in their own garden, and that is precisely what we want to help you do in this blog - a complete guide of how to plant bluebell bulbs. The good news, before we even start, is that it is a pretty straightforward process, but we will take you through it step-by-step.
We're going to cover everything from when to plant bluebells, as well as where and how to plant bluebell bulbs. With a little effort now, you can be watching your bluebells flower next Spring, bringing a whole lot of joy to your garden.
A quick note here - the following applies to Spanish bluebells and the native British bluebell. Also, while planting bluebells 'in the green' (when they are flowering) is possible, we are focusing on growing your own from dry bulbs. Planting bluebell seeds, while possible, is much more difficult than using bulbs.
When to plant bluebells
As autumn bulbs, the best time to plant bluebell bulbs is from late August through to November or even in a mild December. It's better to avoid the risk of a frost when you plant them, so the earlier in the Autumn the better.
The bulbs are dormant at this time of year, so they will have time to acclimatise before the growing season comes around in the new year.
Where to plant bluebell bulbs
Bluebells are used to growing in dappled shade, and are usually found growing in the wild under deciduous trees. Our advice is to try and recreate this environment when you grow bluebells - some partial shade is ideal, but they can cope in some sun as well. Make sure they are in moist, well drained soil.
Planting bluebell bulbs - a step-by-step guide
Now that we've found the perfect spot for our bluebells, let's walk through the steps to get growing in your own garden. As we mentioned, planting bluebells is pretty straightforward, here is everything you need to know.
First step - Digging a hole
You should be looking to plant dry bulbs around 10cm apart from each other. Bluebells spread naturally as they grow (they divide and their seed will spread as well - look out for faded flower spikes which emerge just before they seed), so you want to give them plenty of room to do this.
Dig down about 10cm with a small trowel or bulb planter, about double the width of the bulb itself,
Second step - Place the bulb in the hole
Next, you need to place the Bluebell bulb in the hole correctly. This is with the 'nose' of the bulb facing up - the part where the shoot will emerge from.
Third step - refill the hole
Next we need to refill the hole with soil - but if you are worried about the quality of your soil this is the point at which you can so something about it. Mix in some garden compost, manure or leaf mould to add in plenty of nutrients and to help with draining. If your soil is too clay-like, the water won't drain and the root systems may suffer from root rot.
Once you are happy, put the soil back in the hole, and pat it down gently, being careful not to pack the soil in too tightly, or the roots won't have space to grow out.
Fourth step - water bulbs
When you have filled in the soil, give your new bulbs a big drink. You now know everything you need to know about how to grow bluebells!
Common problems
Generally speaking, you are unlikely to find many issues with pests or disease when you are growing bluebells. You may find that you don't have many flowers in the first year, but don't worry - sometimes it just takes a full year of growth before they are properly established and then your patience will be rewarded with many flowers.
The main issue concerning bluebells in hybridisation. The Spanish bluebell and the native bluebell don't tend to get along, so its best not to plant English bluebell bulbs near Spanish ones. English bluebells don't tend to spread as much as Spanish bluebells.
Planting Bluebells - Conclusion
Bluebells can be a huge part of your garden, a wonderful blast of colour in the Spring. A touch of beautiful woodland countryside in your own garden. Combine bluebells with other plants like fern plants (outdoor) or primrose and watch them bring out each other's beauty. Have a look at our huge selection of flowers and tubers and pick out some of your favourites. We have a wide range of popular varieties of garden flowers to brighten up your outside space.
