A wintery gray garden needs a nice spring dress after its long sleep. Little rabbit bells that slumbered almost forgotten in the earth are now making their big debut as designers. With a bright blue creation, consisting of countless small flower bells, they go out onto the garden stage. They are sure to get admiring glances. Do your part by providing the right care.
In the other regions, the Spanish rabbit bell, botanically Hyacinthoides hispanica, was deliberately established as a garden plant due to its attractive appearance. There are now numerous hybrid breeds of this perennial plant. As they grow, they form a clump and bloom in white, pink or light blue.
We often come across rabbit bells in the great outdoors, along hiking trails and under shady trees. It is tempting to take some of the stems for the vase with you. But that is not allowed, not even if it is just a few flower stems from a huge total. All specimens that grow wild in nature or in the garden are under nature protection. This means that they may not be picked, removed or otherwise destroyed. You are only allowed to lend a hand if you have planted rabbit bells yourself.
The hare bell bulbs are planted in the garden in autumn from September to November. Planting should be done before the first frosts, after which there is no more planting, no matter what the calendar indicates. Rabbit bells are also ideally suited for a flower arrangement in a bucket. They bloom like daffodils and hyacinths and can still delight with beautiful flowers after the other two types of plants have already faded.
If bloomed flower stems are left to stand, the seeds will mature within a few weeks. The seeds are so-called cold germs, which need cold temperatures for germination. The inhibition of germs must be overcome with a stratification. Since this is quite time-consuming, this type of propagation is not so tempting. Another disadvantage is that the hare bells raised from seeds only blooms after several years. If you want that patience and want to try seed propagation, you can start with a warm-cold stratification in February or March.
Note: The seeds are poisonous, do not leave them in the open. Especially when they can get into children's hands.
Tip: If you distribute the horn shavings early in the spring, the microorganisms in the soil have enough time to release some of the nutrients in time for the flowering time.
Tip: If you want more rabbit bells in the garden, then you can simply leave a few flower stems standing. The ripe seed sows itself.
Rabbit bells for the garden are hardy and are well suited for wintering directly in the open air. The bulbs stay in place, pull in their leaves and sprout again in spring. In harsh winters, light winter protection is still a preventative measure. Cover the bulbs of the rabbit bells in good time before the first frost comes. The following applies:
If your garden is inhabited by voles, sooner or later they will eat the bulbs. Prevent this by planting the bulbs together with fine-mesh metal wire baskets. So the attracted mice are left out.
Spanish rabbit bell
The Spanish hare bell, also known as the Spanish squill, comes from the Mediterranean region, more precisely from western Spain, Portugal and northwest Africa. There it grows extensively and wildly on dry rocky slopes and also enriches green grass meadows. In these climates it is used to the occasional dry season.In the other regions, the Spanish rabbit bell, botanically Hyacinthoides hispanica, was deliberately established as a garden plant due to its attractive appearance. There are now numerous hybrid breeds of this perennial plant. As they grow, they form a clump and bloom in white, pink or light blue.
Atlantic hare bell
Unlike the Spanish rabbit bell, its distribution area also extends to Central and Northern Europe. It is valued both as a cut flower and as an ornamental plant. But the wild growing stocks are also impressively large. Especially in Great Britain, each spring they transform countless forest floors and parks into a sea of blue flowers for several weeks. This gave the Atlantic hare bell its second name "English hare bell". It is particularly suitable for planting near-natural gardens, where it can grow and spread in peace. At the beginning a few plants are enough, the rest is done by time in interaction with nature.natural reserve
We often come across rabbit bells in the great outdoors, along hiking trails and under shady trees. It is tempting to take some of the stems for the vase with you. But that is not allowed, not even if it is just a few flower stems from a huge total. All specimens that grow wild in nature or in the garden are under nature protection. This means that they may not be picked, removed or otherwise destroyed. You are only allowed to lend a hand if you have planted rabbit bells yourself. Toxicity
This innocent-looking plant contains poisonous substances such as saponins and cardiac glycosides in all of its parts, especially in the bulb and the seeds. The latter have a negative impact on the heart's activity when taken. This plant is listed as "slightly poisonous". The most common symptoms of their poison are:- nausea
- Malaise,
- diarrhea
- headache
- Pressure in the stomach
- Contact allergies
Heyday
The two types of the hare bell, the Atlantic hare bell and the Spanish hare bell, bloom at different times. The Atlantic hare bell, also known as wild hyacinth, blooms first. Its delicate flowers are already open in April and give off a very light fragrance. The bluebell blue oyster follows in May, with equally beautiful flowers that are unfortunately odorless. The beginning of the flowering period is also influenced by the current weather. Once open, both species will bloom for about two months.Location and soil
Finally a suitable flower plant for the less popular places in the garden: shady places under trees and bushes, where full sunlight rarely gets there. Under these conditions, rabbit bells like to spread and bring splashes of color where otherwise bald spots would otherwise remain. The following applies to bunny bells:- they like it partially to shady
- like to grow under trees and bushes
- are suitable for shady rock gardens
- prefer moist and well-drained soils
- Humus content promotes their growth
- need enough space to spread out
- They don't like waterlogging at all
- a drainage layer under the bulbs protects them from rot
Planting time
The hare bell bulbs are planted in the garden in autumn from September to November. Planting should be done before the first frosts, after which there is no more planting, no matter what the calendar indicates. Rabbit bells are also ideally suited for a flower arrangement in a bucket. They bloom like daffodils and hyacinths and can still delight with beautiful flowers after the other two types of plants have already faded. Planting
Rabbit bells are delicate plants that do not grow very tall. They almost always stay below 50 cm. If they are planted individually, they are less conspicuous and are more likely to be overlooked. Several rabbit bells, on the other hand, form a carpet of flowers and can no longer optically go under.- Groups with several onions each are optimal
- The distance between individual tuffs should be about 12 cm
- Bulbs can also be planted in long rows
- Planting depth is 6-10 cm depending on the variety
- Onions need to be watered after planting
Onion division
It is typical for bulb flowers that they take care of the offspring themselves. So does the bunny bell. Every year, many small onions form directly on the main onion. If the natural course is not interfered with, the bells continue to spread on their own. That is a good thing, because the small plants are much more effective in groups. If you want to decorate other places in the garden with it, you can plant the new onion shoots there. September and October are suitable months for transplanting.1. Wear gloves to avoid contact allergies
2. Use a sharp and disinfected knife.
3. Carefully dig up the flower bulb.
4. Separate the daughter onions with the knife.
5. Plant the mother onion back again.
6. Plant the small bulbs in a suitable location.
7. Pour on the onions.
- Spanish rabbit bells must be planted 8-10 cm deep in the ground
- The Atlantic bell, on the other hand, only needs 6-8 cm depth
sowing
If bloomed flower stems are left to stand, the seeds will mature within a few weeks. The seeds are so-called cold germs, which need cold temperatures for germination. The inhibition of germs must be overcome with a stratification. Since this is quite time-consuming, this type of propagation is not so tempting. Another disadvantage is that the hare bells raised from seeds only blooms after several years. If you want that patience and want to try seed propagation, you can start with a warm-cold stratification in February or March. 1. Sow the seeds in compost.
2. Put the pots in a warm room for two to four weeks.
3. Keep the soil moist.
4. Move to a cold location with temperatures of -4 to 5 degrees
5. The small plants are planted out in May.
With a bit of luck, this approach will lead to new bunny bells. Germination can take much longer if the conditions are not optimal.Note: The seeds are poisonous, do not leave them in the open. Especially when they can get into children's hands.
to water
If the bunny bell is planted in its preferred location, it hardly needs watering. Under trees and bushes, where there is nice shade, the sun's rays hardly reach the earth and it therefore does not dry out as quickly. The rain is usually enough to meet the water demand. However, when the bunny bell blooms, the soil should be checked for moisture every now and then. If the soil feels very dry, moderate watering is required. Use the soft rainwater from time to time so that the lime content is kept within limits. After flowering, when the bunny bell retreats, you no longer need to water.Fertilize
The bunny bell is extremely frugal when it comes to nutrients. Horn shavings supply it with nutrients evenly over a long period of time. This ensures healthy growth. During the flowering period from April onwards, additional fertilizers can promote the development of flowers. As soon as the flower has sprouted again in spring, you can therefore spread some fine compost every two weeks.Tip: If you distribute the horn shavings early in the spring, the microorganisms in the soil have enough time to release some of the nutrients in time for the flowering time.
Cut
The use of secateurs can be worthwhile with bunny bells, as this gives the splendor of colors an extension time in which new bells are formed. Since the bunny bell is poisonous, it is advisable to wear gloves.- Regularly remove dead flowers
- Once the flowering period is over, cut off all of the flower heads
- Cut off the yellowed and dried up leaves close to the ground
- If necessary, cut flower stems for the vase
Tip: If you want more rabbit bells in the garden, then you can simply leave a few flower stems standing. The ripe seed sows itself.
Overwinter
Rabbit bells for the garden are hardy and are well suited for wintering directly in the open air. The bulbs stay in place, pull in their leaves and sprout again in spring. In harsh winters, light winter protection is still a preventative measure. Cover the bulbs of the rabbit bells in good time before the first frost comes. The following applies:- dry leaves that fall from neighboring deciduous trees are a good insulation layer
- cut fir branches can serve as a cover
- Protection must be removed in February or March.
Diseases
The bulbs of the rabbit bells are resistant to diseases. Just too much moisture makes them susceptible to fungal diseases and makes them rot. When planting, make sure that the soil is well drained. Mix the soil with some sand, this will increase the permeability. Also, be cautious about watering, this is the most effective way of preventing rot.Pests
The leaves and flowers of the hare bells are fond of snails. The plant survives the attack because the underground bulb is spared and sprouts again the next year. However, eaten rabbit bells are not a pretty sight. Always keep an eye out for snails and act quickly as soon as you spot the first slimy critters. In this way, the snail plague cannot cause any great damage and also does not have the opportunity to lay innumerable snail eggs for the next year.If your garden is inhabited by voles, sooner or later they will eat the bulbs. Prevent this by planting the bulbs together with fine-mesh metal wire baskets. So the attracted mice are left out.