Hyacinthoides

( hye - uh - sinth - OY - deez )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Wood Hyacinth or Bluebell, this perennial genus of flowering herbaceous plants grows from bulbs. These flowers require filtered sun or light shade and regular water during their growth and bloom periods. These flowers are similar to Hyacinthus orientalis but are taller and their blooming clusters are more loose. These are great candidates for naturalizing areas under woodland trees and tall shrubs and also do well in pots and containers. The fragrant flowers are colorful additions to fresh flower arrangements. Take care when handling the bulbs, as they may cause skin irritation.

Hyacinthoides Species and Varietals

The genus Hyacinthoides is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae and includes 11 species. The best growing zones vary depending on the species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Hyacinthoides hispanica (Scilla campanulata, Scilia hispanica) (Spanish Bluebell, Wood Hyacinth, Bell-Flowered Squill)
This species of Bluebell is native to Spain and North Africa, and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 or Sunset growing zones 1-11 and 14-24. This vigorous species has strappy leaves and stems 20 inches tall that hold about 12 flowers each. The most common flower color is blue, though varieties include 'Excelsior' (the most common variety; with deep lavender flowers), 'White City' (with white blooms), 'Blue Giant' (with large blue flowers) and 'Queen of Pinks' (with lavender-pink flowers). This species is considered invasive in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, the UK and Ireland, Canada, and Australia.

Hyacinthoides italica (Italian Bluebell, Italian Squill)
This spring-flowering plant is native to northwestern Italy, southern France, and northeastern Spain. It prefers to grow in dry olive groves or stony meadows and forest clearings. These plants reach between 4 and 16 inches tall when in bloom and produce leafless flowering stalks holding between 5 and 30 bright violet-blue star-shaped flowers that bloom from February through May.

Hyacinthoides lingulata (Tongue-Shaped Bluebell, Bluebell)
Native to Morocco through Tunisia, these plants are widespread in grassy areas and agricultural fields. Flowers are pale blue to pale violet, and bloom in fall when rains begin. Somewhat fleshy leaves are strappy and green, and are sensitive to frost conditions. Outside their native range, these plants are typically grown indoors or in a greenhouse.

Hyacinthoides x massartiana (Hybrid Bluebell, Garden Bluebell, Hybrid Scilla)
This hybrid Bluebell species is a cross between Hyacinthoides hispanica and Hyacinthoides non-scripta, and is native to Britain and Belgium. These are woodland-habitat loving plants, preferring partial to full shade to thrive. These plants out-compete their ancestors, able to handle a wider variety of temperature and irrigation conditions. This species is considered highly invasive in the UK and Ireland.

Hyacinthoides mauritanica (Mauritius Bluebell, Bluebell, Wood Hyacinth)
Endemic to Morocco, these flowering plants are dwarfed, reaching only 4 inches tall when in bloom. Flowers are star-shaped and come in shades of blue, violet, and white. These plants grow in open land in damp and often sandy soils. This species thrives and will naturalize outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8a-10b.

Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Scilla non-scripta) (English Bluebell, Wood Hyacinth, Common Bluebell)
This species of Bluebell hails from western Europe and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 and Sunset growing zones 2b-6 and 15. Flowers in this species are fragrant, though they are smaller and narrower than those of Hyacinthoides hispanica. Flowers bloom on stems that reach a foot tall. Varieties include 'Alba' (with white flowers) and 'Rosea' (with pink flowers). This species is considered invasive in the United States and New Zealand.

Hyacinthoides paivae (Portuguese Bluebell, Wood Squill, Bluebell)
This rare species of Bluebell produces flowering stems that hold up to 18 pale blue flowers in springtime. These plants reach up to 18 inches tall, and produce between 4 and 12 basal leaves each. These flowers are native to oak woodland and pine woods (as well as other shaded habitats) in the north-western part of the Iberian Peninsula. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.

Caring for hyacinthoides

Take care when handling the bulbs while planting, as they may cause skin irritation. Always wear gloves when working with Bluebell bulbs. Plant Hyacinthoides in full sun with some afternoon shade in warmer climates. Ideally, these plants can take around 6-8 hours of sun each day for best flowering and growth. It is not recommended to be grown from seed because they can take up to 2 years to germinate, and up to 5 years after that to form a bulb capable of flowering. Planting bulbs or divisions is a much more successful technique. Bluebells can be grown either in the ground or in containers; in cool-winter areas, container-growing is suggested so that the bulbs can be moved into a sheltered location over the colder months. These flowers appreciate well-draining soil, and can handle even sandy soils well. Soil should be moderately fertile, include plenty of organic material, and have a pH of between 5.5 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area, ensuring that it does not touch stems or foliage. This will suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and help to maintain consistent soil temperatures.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants prefer to receive somewhat regular waterings. As a general rule of thumb, do not ever let the soil dry out completely. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Bluebell plants is simple: remove spent blooms and any unsightly foliage. Once foliage fully dies back at the end of the growing season, it can be removed. In temperate zones, mulch over the bulb area to help them get through the winter months. The individual bulbs have a life span of between 3 and 5 years, but over time will produce bulbils that can be removed and replanted elsewhere, providing new flowers for the landscape indefinitely. Newly planted Bluebell patches will take about 5 to 7 years to fully mature and develop into a dense groundcover.

Propagation

The most common way to propagate Hyacinthoides, or Bluebell, plants is to divide existing plants. These flowers grow from underground storage roots called bulbs, which will over time produce smaller storage roots around their exterior. These small bulbs are called 'bulbils', and can be removed from the parent plant. To propagate your Bluebell via division, follow the instructions below. Take care when handling the bulbs, as they can cause skin irritation. Always wear gloves when working with Bluebell bulbs.

Propagating Hyacinthoides by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in late summertime (after the plant has entered dormancy). To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the bulb(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick bulb section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your bulbs and water them in thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect bulbs from cold weather as they acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Some species of Bluebell are considered to be invasive in certain areas of the globe. Before choosing to plant them in your garden, check with local authorities. Hyacinthoides, or Bluebell, plants are typically resistant to most pests and diseases, though they can have issues from time to time with: