15/05/2006

Northamptonshire has more than its fair share of bluebell covered woods at this time of year.

Even on a dull day a carpet of bluebells is a delight to see - and, infact, you'll probably end up with some better photographs on an overcast day as it was when this picture was taken in Sulehay Wood near Kings Cliffe.

The UK has the finest bluebell carpets in the world. They can be found all over the country, in woodland, grassland, heath, scrub and hedgerows.

The Woodland Trust urges visitors to stay on footpaths and not to damage or pick the plants. The UK’s bluebell woods are of international importance - the British bluebell represents 20 per cent of the world population of the flower - so it is important to remember to take care while enjoying the beauty of the bluebell woods. It is illegal, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, to dig up the bulbs of wild bluebells - an endangered species - and dealers face heavy fines for for selling them.

Concerns grow that the native British Bluebell - called 'Wild Hyacinth' in Scotland is gradually being replaced in our woodlands by a crossbreed variety with the Spanish Bluebell, which is usually the one found in gardens. A Survey showed that one in six woodlands now contained the hybrid bluebells.

For a bit more information about bluebells see our May 2005 page

Plantlife has published a new leaflet to help gardeners identify the three types of bluebell, which includes information on how to dispose of Spanish Bluebells carefully and what to look out for when buying bluebells. To receive a free copy of the leaflet, please send a S.A.E. to Plantlife Bluebell Leaflet, 14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, SP1 1DX.

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