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Hyacinthoides nonscripta - (L.)Chouard. ex Rothm.

Common Name Bluebell
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The bulb (and the whole plant?) is poisonous[4].
Habitats Deciduous woodland[28], usually on slightly acid soils[17].
Range Western Europe from the Netherlands and Britain o Belgium and France.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Hyacinthoides nonscripta Bluebell


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyacinthoides_non-scripta_Sturm39.jpg
Hyacinthoides nonscripta Bluebell
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Hyacinthoides nonscripta is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Endymion non-scriptus. Scilla non-scriptus.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic  Styptic

The bulb has diuretic and styptic properties[4]. It is used as a remedy for leucorrhoea[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Adhesive  Starch

A glue is obtained from the sap in the bulb and stem[4, 6, 66]. Simply cut open a bulb and apply the sap to whatever needs to be joined[K]. It makes an excellent paper glue, the join is stronger than the surrounding paper[6]. It would not work on non-absorbent materials such as plastics and glass[K]. A starch from the bulb has been used in laundering[4], it is very harsh on the skin[6].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a soil rich in leafmold[90], preferring semi-shade[28, 31] but tolerating full sun. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a heavy one[200]. Succeeds in the dry shade of trees[188, 233]. Bulbs like to be quite deep in the soil[200]. The flowers diffuse a balsam-like scent in the sunshine[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring or as soon as ripe in a cold frame. It usually requires stratification. If you have plenty of seed it can be sown in situ, but it is usually more economical to sow it in a frame. If sown thinly, the seedlings can be left in their pots for the first year, though give them regular liquid feeds to make sure that they get sufficient nutrient. Prick out the seedlings about 3 to a pot and grow on for 1 - 2 more years before planting out into their permanent positions when they are dormant[K]. Division of the bulbs in summer after the leaves die down. Larger bulbs can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year in a cold frame before planting them out when dormant in late summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cyanella hyacinthoidesLady's HandBulb0.3 8-11  LNDM10 
Sansevieria hyacinthoidesAfrican Bowstring HempPerennial0.5 10-12 FLMSNDM023

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Chouard. ex Rothm.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

s. newman   Sun May 11 18:41:52 2003

I have a lot of bluebells in my garden. one of them is pink colour is this possible?

   Fri May 6 09:00:28 2005

yes, pink is possible, a genetic variation, causing a change or lack of colour, may survive from year to year, viz the ellusive white forms that can usually be found after searching an extensive drift of bluebells, usually in a more shaded area, but not always

   Mon Sep 11 2006

don't they grow in clones too, Why?

   Mon Mar 2 2009

If i spread the in june-July,how long will it take for the bluebell to appear?

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