Description
Hyacinthoides – Endymion – Bluebell –
There are 3 or 4, vigorous, bulbous perennials, in this genus. They occur in deciduous woodland and moist meadows in Western Europe and Northern Africa. They have strap shaped to lance shaped basal leaves, and bear racemes of bell or tubular-bell shaped, scented, blue or white, sometimes pink flowers in spring. Bluebells are ideal for naturalizing in grass, for a wild or woodland garden, or for underplanting in s shrub border. All parts may irritate skin on contact, and may cause severe discomfort if ingested.
Plant bulbs 3″ deep in autumn, in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in dappled shade. H. hispanica tolerate a wide range of soils. Remove flowers as they fade to prevent self seeding, except in wild plantings.
H. nonscripta – Endymion non-scriptus – Scilla non-scripta – Scilla nutans – English Bluebell – This vigorous, clump forming, bulbous perennial from Western Europe grows 8-16″ tall and 3″ wide. It produces spreading, linear to lance shaped, glossy, green leaves, 8-18″ long. From early spring to summer it bears 6-12 semi pendent, narrowly bell shaped, scented, lavender-blue, sometimes white flowers, to 3/4″ long, with cream anthers, in a one sided raceme that bends over at the top.
Zones 4-10
