Seven days of spring - Day two

Our feature for day two of seven days of spring is this hyacinthoides non-scripta, which is more commonly known as the English bluebell. These magnificent little plants spend most of the time underground as bulbs and start to surface around the start of spring. The leaves can grow up to 25mm wide and 45cm long. The plants boast beautiful violet, bell shaped flowers (which can sometimes also be pink or white). Up to 20 flowers can bloom on each plant.

As bluebells flower a lot more early than most plants, they are very advantageous to nature as they provide a source of nectar to bees and other insects during the early spring.

There are many folklore tales sourrounding bluebells, and in the language of flowers, it is a symbol of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love.

A hyacinthoides non-scripta (bluebell) thriving on the grounds of Rosewyn