Spanish bluebell, Hyacinthoides hispanica

When the enchanting bell ringers unfold their concentrated blossoms, the most beautiful time of the year has begun. Spanish bluebells are excellent at filling previously barren corners of the garden with vibrant life. With a growth height of up to 40 centimetres, it towers over the majority of the other early bloomers with its nodding white, blue or pink bell-shaped flowers. In order for a Hyacinthoides hispanica to set its decorative accents over many years, only little care is required. The following lines explain in detail what hobby gardeners should pay attention to.

Characteristics

• Plant genus bluebells (Hyacinthoides)
• Species: Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica)
• Native to the forests of Spain and Portugal
• Hardy bulbous flower
• Growth height 30 to 40 centimeters
• White, blue, or pink bell-shaped flowers without fragrance
• Racemes inflorescences above lanceolate, green leaves
• Flowering time from April to May
• Further designation: bell squill

The close botanical relationship with squill and grape hyacinth is obvious. Nevertheless, bluebells legitimately represent a separate genus.

care tips

A well-established Spanish bluebell is easy to care for. If the growth period begins in spring, maintaining a balanced water and nutrient balance is limited to the following aspects:

• Water the flowers regularly during dry periods
• The surface of the earth should dry out in the meantime
• Fertilize with compost and horn shavings or minerals parallel to the beginning of budding
• Two more applications of fertilizer are recommended, just after flowering and in the fall
• Regularly trim wilted flowers to encourage more bells

After flowering, allow the bulb in the soil enough time to soak up any remaining nutrients from the plant parts. This process forms the basis for renewed growth next year. The foliage should be completely dry when cut off. The withered inflorescences, on the other hand, should be cut off early so that the plant does not invest any energy in the development of seed heads. If, on the other hand, propagation by sowing is desired, a Spanish bluebell is of course not beheaded.

multiply

If the Hyacinthoides hispanica is given the obligatory care, it will multiply at the location under its own steam at a rapid pace. You might want to use such growth power at other locations in your green kingdom, so that the focus is now on the various methods of propagation.

daughter onions

If a Spanish bluebell has withered, this is the ideal time for propagation using daughter bulbs. As the name suggests, the flower bulb develops several spawning bulbs over the course of the growing season, which are clearly visible on the sides. These are buds that develop into bulbs within the leaf axils of the onion skins. They are designed in such a way that after the mother bulb dies, they are responsible for the survival of the flower. These daughter bulbs are excellent for offspring because they are already self-sufficient. This is how the method works:

• After flowering, dig up the bulb with as much soil as possible
• Cut off the daughter onions with a sharp, sanitized knife
• At least one brood bulb should remain attached to the mother bulb

The bulbs obtained in this way are kept in a dry, cool and dark place until autumn. Under no circumstances should they come under the intense influence of light, so that they do not sprout prematurely.

sowing

If you leave your bell squills in the bed, they will form countless capsule fruits. Just before these burst open to release the seeds, they are collected and opened under controlled conditions to access the seeds. How to sow correctly:

• Soak the black, spherical seeds in water at room temperature for 4-6 hours
• Fill seed pots with peat sand, coconut fibre, perlite or seed soil from the trade
• Scatter the seeds on top and sift thinly with substrate or sand
• Moisten with water from the spray bottle
• Alternatively, place the pots in water a few inches high to water them from below
• Cover the seed pots with cling film or place in the greenhouse
• Expect germination in a partially shaded window seat at 23-26 degrees Celsius

Until the cotyledons appear, regularly check the moisture level of the seed so that it does not dry out. After germination, the cover can be removed to prevent young foliage from bumping into it. The young plants are pricked out from the second or third real pair of leaves.

Plant

The window for planting bell squills is from the end of September to the end of October. The bulb flowers reach their optimum in a semi-shady to shady location. The soil should be humic and well drained. Ideally, a slightly acidic to neutral pH prevails. How to use a Spanish bluebell correctly:

• Loosen the soil deeply and weed thoroughly
• If necessary, enrich the soil with compost or sand
• Dig small planting holes, 8-10 centimeters deep
• Plant the flower bulbs 10 centimeters apart
• Arrange preferably in small tuffs
• Cover with soil, press down and water carefully

Are you pursuing the goal of creating one of those overgrown carpets of flowers that are impressively staged under tall trees? Then you hold an ideal candidate with Hyacinthoides hispanica. A particularly natural appearance is created by combining different early bloomers, like snowdrops, crocuses, squills, daffodils and all three colors of Spanish bluebells.

Effectively protect against voles

The biggest threat to bulbous flowers comes from insatiable voles. Save the spring flower from ending up in the stomachs of hungry rodents by planting each tuff in a wire basket. These are made of wire mesh with a mesh size of 12-13 millimeters and shaped into a square. The top of the basket is left open because voles avoid the soil surface. Place the vole basket in a 12 cm deep hole. The ground is covered with a 2-3 centimeter layer of sand to protect against waterlogging. Fill in the potting soil and insert the flower bulbs.

Conclusion

In spring, the Spanish bluebell covers half-shady and shady areas of the garden with a sea of ​​blue, white and pink blossoms. From May, the clusters of bell-shaped flowers herald the loveliest time of the year without requiring time-consuming care. The pivotal points are regular watering and three doses of fertilizer. In addition, care should be taken to only cut back when the Hyacinthoides hispanica have completely withered. Propagation is just as uncomplicated, and it is particularly easy to do with onions.

Learn more about flower bulbs