Bluebell Flowers

Bluebells are iconic spring bulbs carpeting ancient woodlands across Western Europe with nodding, violet-blue bells and a sweet scent. In the UK and most of Europe, “bluebell” refers to Hyacinthoides non-scripta; in North America, however, many people use “bluebells” for Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), a different species altogether. This article is about the European/English bluebell.