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North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
1 Current status
1.1 National
Britain has 20% of the world's Bluebell population and, consequently, it is a plant that is often thought of as being characteristically British. The easily recognised and richly scented flowers, which bloom between April and June, also occur in pink and white forms. They are widespread throughout the United Kingdom, but are absent in Orkney and Shetland. They grow in humid habitats and are adapted to shade provided within woodland. They are also found in hedgerows. In the damper west it is also a common
coastal plant in open situations.
Even in comparatively isolated locations, hybridisation with the introduced Spanish form H. hispanica is not uncommon. This form is much stouter, with less nodding and more bell-like flowers.
1.2 Local
Good local examples include Clinkham and Red Brow Wood in St. Helens, and Croxteth Park in Liverpool. Landlife have information on native colonies and, in the past, all forms have been surveyed by the Liverpool Botanical Society. Many local records are of the hybrid form and distinct native colonies of any size are often hard to find, although it is present in 44 tetrads in North Merseyside.
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