Species of the Month

Spanish Bluebell: Hyacinthoides hispanica

These Spring-flowering bulbous perennials are native to the Iberian Peninsula, this includes Spain, Portugal and Angora.

Flowering Season: April-June

Habitat: Mixed deciduous woods and hedges.

Distribution: Widely planted as a garden species.

The Spanish Bluebell was introduced to the United Kingdom where it has become an invasive species. This in turn has resulted in the Common Bluebell being classed as a threatened species.

Take a look up close at some of the Spanish Bluebells here at Hopetoun and you will see that the flowers are arranged around the stem and that the stem is upright. Also unlike the Common Bluebell, the flower has little or no scent and its anthers are purple as apposd to cream in the Common Bluebell.

They are valuable for wildlife here at Hopetoun especially to pollinating insects such as bees.