Garden Wildlife – Part 9 Bluebells

In my garden, we have a mixture of Spanish bluebells that were there when my parents bought the house and native bluebells, neither of which have flowered yet, but out on my walk today I spotted the first flowering Bluebells close to my house.

There are a few differences between the native Bluebells and Spanish Bluebells

• English bluebells have a scent, Spanish don’t
• English Bluebells have a drooping stem, Spanish ones have a straight stem
• English Bluebells have narrow leaves (under 1.5cm wide), Spanish ones have wider leaves.
• English Bluebells have deep blue, violet flowers which curl back at the ends, Spanish ones are paler and straighter
• English Bluebells have cream coloured anthers, Spanish ones mainly have blue anthers.

Also spent some time today watching the visitors, like this blue tit, to the garden.

Lots of well known contributors added their thoughts, ideas, and advice to Get Your Boots On to help encourage more people to enjoy the wildlife on their doorstep.

From ecologists, scientists, underwater photographers, campaigners, vets, wildlife camera operators, YouTubers, trail camera experts, writers, museum curators, podcasters and wildlife enthusiasts.