Plant rabbit bells correctly
In September the time window opens to the flower bulbs of Bunny bell to plant. Choose a partially shaded to shady and cool location with well drained garden soil. There you create small pits at a distance of 10-12 cm. For an Atlantic hare bell, the planting depth is 6-8 cm, while the larger bulbs of the Spanish hare bell are planted 8-10 cm deep. Loosen up too loamy soil with a handful of sand. Should voles infest your garden, we recommend planting each group of bulbs under the protection of a fine-meshed wire basket.
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Care tips
If the location meets the most important criteria and if the planting is carried out properly, the bunny bell requires little gardening attention. How to properly care for the herald of spring:
- Watering when it is dry, preferably alternating with tap water and rain water
- During the growth and flowering period, fertilize organically every 2 weeks
- Clean up withered flowers for a second bloom
- Cut off the heads at the end of the flowering period
- Only cut the foliage close to the ground when it has completely yellowed
In rough locations, the rabbit bell is grateful for light winter protection. Cover the planting site with a layer of leaves and coniferous twigs to remove them in good time in February / March.
Which location is suitable?
The bunny bell enjoys Europe-wide popularity, not least thanks to its ability to embellish shaded niches in the garden with floral colors. The bell-shaped abundance of flowers therefore unfolds particularly beautifully in the partially shaded to shady location. In combination with humus, fresh, moist and well-drained soil, the flower develops enchanting flower carpets over the years.
The correct planting distance
The bunny bell is particularly decorative in small tuffs. You should therefore arrange the flower bulbs in small groups at a distance of 10-12 cm. In this way, you give each individual specimen enough space to develop unhindered without creating unwanted gaps in the appearance.
What soil does the plant need?
As a classic onion bloomer, the bluebell primarily requires well-drained soil without the risk of waterlogging. If the soil is both humic and fresh and moist, the spring flower will achieve its optimum from the start.
What is the best time to plant?
The charming bunny bell will move into your garden as an onion flower. The planting time for these ornamental plants extends from the beginning of September to November. After the first frost, the time window for planting closes, regardless of what the calendar says.
When is the flowering time?
The bunny bell gives us two species that bloom at different times. The Atlantic hare bell - also known as the forest hyacinth - presents us with its nodding flower bells from April to May. The Spanish hare bells - also known as bluebells - delights us with its floral display from May to June.
Cut rabbit bells correctly
You will always attract new bells when you clean up withered flowers. If the flowering time is inevitably coming to an end, cut off all the flower heads. In this way, the bunny bell does not invest all of its energy in the energy-sapping growth of seed heads. As a result, wait until all the foliage has been drawn in and yellowed. Only then do you cut off the withered leaves close to the ground.
Pour the bunny bell
In the cool, partially shaded location, the earth does not dry out as quickly; however, we recommend checking the moisture content of the soil during the flowering period eye to keep. If the surface of the earth feels dry, water it moderately. Ideally, you should alternate between using tap water and collected rainwater so that the lime content in the soil does not get out of hand. Outside the growth and flowering period, the natural rainfall covers the water requirement.
Fertilize rabbit bells properly
The bluebell does not make any high demands on the nutrient supply. When budding begins, provide the flower with sifted compost and every 14 days Horn shavings,(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) the need is met. At the end of the flowering period, you stop applying fertilizer so that the onion falls into its summer sleep mode.
Overwinter
If the location is under deciduous trees, leave the fallen leaves lying around in autumn as a natural protection against frost and permanent moisture. In rough locations you can also spread a few fir fronds over the hare bells. Otherwise, the onion flower is hardy and sprouts over and over again for many years. After pruning close to the ground, put the spring bloomers in a pot or balcony box in a frost-free, not too dark winter area.
Increase rabbit bells
As an onion flower, the bunny bell produces vital offspring every year on its own. This is how the fascinating flower carpets are created, as they attract crowds of pilgrims every year in the famous garden of Wisley in England. You can let nature run wild or use this process for targeted reproduction. This is how it works:
- Dig up the onion in September / October
- Cut off the easily recognizable daughter onions with a sharp, disinfected knife
- At the new location 6-8 cm or Place 8-10 cm deep in the soil and water
On the other hand, it turns out to be more complicated and time-consuming sowing. Since these are cold germs, a stratification is required in order to break the germ inhibition. In addition, several years pass before a seedling-propagated rabbit bell blooms for the first time.
Is the bunny bell poisonous?
The cultivation of bunny bells is only conditionally suitable for the family garden. Due to the content of poisonous saponins and other ingredients, the spring flower is classified as questionable. Skin contact with the plant sap can lead to allergic reactions. Consumption of seeds and onions has dire consequences, as there is a risk of symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea and palpitations.
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Trivia
Where a sea of blossoms made of hare bells spreads in the spring forest, the hiker's eye can delight in it. However, picking or removing forest hyacinths from wild stocks is strictly forbidden. Hyacinthoides are protected in Germany because they are threatened with extinction.
Nice varieties
- Blue Bell: Blue-violet bells nodding adorn the green stems above lanceolate foliage; Growth height 20-30 cm
- White Triumphator: White flowering variety that harmonizes wonderfully with blue hare bells; Growth height 20-30 cm
- Excelsior: Separate garden hare bells with blue to dark blue flowers in April and May; Growth height 30-40 cm
- Blue Queen: impresses with its lavender-blue flowers well into June; Growth height 25-35 cm
- Alba: Atlantic hare bell with white flowers and robust constitution: stature height 25-40 cm
- Rose Queen: Royal variety with pale pink flower bells, suitable for cut flowers; Growth height 30-45 cm
