The Bluebell

Bluebells grow in the woodland. Taking a bluebell walk through ancient woodland is a wonderful thing. Each flower looks like a little bell and they can be not only blue but white too.



The Bluebell by Emily Bronte

The blue bell is the sweetest flower
That waves in summer air;
Its blossoms have the mightiest power
To soothe my spirit’s care.



How to Grow Bluebells
They are grown from bulbs, which can endure frosts and hot temperatures. Plant the bulbs 2 inches underground in the fall, before the first frost. Plant bluebells at least 12 inches apart. The bluebell prefers partial sun with some shade in the afternoon. They do well when planted with ferns and other woodland plants. These plants do best when kept moist, so water them daily.
If you grow bluebells from seed you won't get flowers until the second year, but after this they spread rapidly. Once they have flowered and the leaves have died back separate and divide the bulbs.



The Bluebell by Anne Bronte

A fine and subtle spirit dwells
In every little flower,
Each one its own sweet feeling breathes
With more or less of power.
There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell
That fills my softened heart with bliss
That words could never tell.



Bluebells in Myths and Folklore

In the past the woods was seen as a mysterious and dangerous place, think of the fairy tales - bad things happen in the woods! As the Bluebell grows in the woods and looks so other-worldly, it has some dark myths surrounding it.

Bluebells used to be known as "witches thimbles" and it was said the bells of the flowers would peal out at midnight calling to the fairies. Woe betides any poor unfortunate traveler who heard those bells - he would be dead in the morning.

Another myth is that If you wade through a carpet of bluebells, you will disturb the spells of the fairies that they hung on the bluebell flowers. Terrible things will happen if you disturb the fairy folk....



Scottish Bluebells have been called by various names. It is widely known as Harebell. The name, Harebell, has its roots in magic. The name came from the fact that Scottish Bluebells are found growing in meadows frequented by hares. Some would argue, the name Harebell was given this flower due to the fact that witches were known to turn themselves into hares and hide among them. Both are interesting stories, one for the non-believer and believer alike. It is also called simply Bellflower. Another name is Fairies' Thimbles. It is widely thought that fairies live among the flowers and it stands to reason, this plant would have at least one common name reflecting this belief.



The Harebell has been recognized by many for its beauty, including being a favorite of poets for centuries.
Sir Walter Scott mentioned it in his 1810 poem, "Lady of the Lake;" "A foot more light, a step more true, Ne'er from the heath-flower dashed the dew; E'en the slight harebell raised its head..."
Emily Bronte wrote, "I lingered round them, under the benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers, for the sleepers in that quiet earth." in her book, "Wuthering Heights," .
On the rocky shores and hillsides, in meadows and open woods, Harebells or Bluebells have nodded with the breeze for centuries.