[Annen]

We are having a discussion as to whether this is an english bluebell or spanish.  Can anybody tell me?

[Springlands]

The flowers in your pic look pale and erect which suggests that it is a Spanish Bluebell rather than the native common bluebell whose flowers are darker and sort of droop.

[Annen]

They did droop at first, but as they got bigger they stood more erect.  I read that one way to tell was that the english ones had bright yellow stamens and that all the flower heads were on one side.  These ones have yellow stamens but flowers on both sides.

[Springlands]

They could be a hybrid between the native blue bell and a the Spanish - this is becoming an issue in some areas. 

[Aunt Sally]

The leaves are a give away.

Native very thin,  Spanish broader.

[Annen]

The leaves are a give away.

Native very thin,  Spanish broader.

They are just ordinary bluebell leaves so I'm guessing they are spanish or a hybrid.  I haven't got a picture of the leaves, but I will check next visit to the plot.

[Aunt Sally]

Spanish


Spanish - pink


Native


Native

[Annen]

Thanks Aunt Sally.  (I've been trying to post two pictures like you have, but it doesn't let me attach more than one image at a time)

[mumofstig]

I always think the Spanish bluebells look more like a loose flowered hyacinth   

[Aunt Sally]

Yes, so do I.  Like a cross between a bluebell and a hyacinth.

[Aramintha]

Hi,
Check out the Natural History Museum definitions:
English bluebell :
The flower spike is usually 20-50cm high, with the flowers arranged in a raceme that droops or nods distinctly to one side. Each raceme usually has between 4 and 16 flowers.


Each flower has two linear-lanceolate bracts, one usually longer than the other, at the base of the flower stalk. The flower stalk is normally 3-10mm long. The flowers hang down to one side of the main stem. The flowers are usually deep violet-blue but paler blue forms (rarely white and very rarely pink) do occur. Each flower is made up of six petals that are fused together at the base to form a narrow straight-sided bell. Flowers are normally 10-28mm in diameter and each petal is usually 14-20mm long. The petals are usually rolled back.
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/british-natural-history/survey-bluebells/bluebell-identification/native/index.html

Spanish bluebell:

The flower spike is usually 20-50cm high, with the flowers arranged in a raceme that is stiff and upright. Each raceme normally has between 4 and 20 flowers that are usually attached to the main stem on all sides.

The flowers usually point outwards. Each flower has two linear-lanceolate bracts, one usually longer than the other, at the base of the flower stalk. The flower stalk is normally 10-20mm long. The flowers are usually pale to mid-blue (sometimes white or pink). Each flower is made up of six petals that are fused together at the base to form a wide-open bell. Flowers are normally 15-25mm in diameter and each petal is usually 15-22mm long. The petals are widely spreading and are usually not rolled back.
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/british-natural-history/survey-bluebells/bluebell-identification/hispanica/index.html

Hope this helps. :happy:


[Edited to add links to avoid plagiarism / copyright issues.]

[Annen]

Mmm, thanks Aramintha, I can see I should taken a lot more details before posting this question

[Annen]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14697628@N04/8914375997/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/14697628@N04/8914387175/


If I have got it right then there should be one pic of the foliage and one of the flowers in situ

[Aunt Sally]

I think they look like Native Bluebells to me