The Glory of a Bluebell Woods
"My hundred thousand bells of blue,
The splendour of the Spring,
They carpet all the woods anew
With royalty of sapphire hue."
- The Story of the Bluebell Fairy, Cicely Mary Barker
I’ve ventured out to see the bluebells several times over the last fortnight. Watching the early runners slowly unfurl and gain full force amongst their comrades.
Bluebells are one of the last spring flowers to bloom before the woodland canopy closes as the new leaves block out the sunlight. This means the timing of the bluebell spectacle varies each year based on the spring weather and the location in the country but generally the end of April is the best time to see them.
Today it felt like the bluebells were at their peak. Hitting from a distance as I approached the ancient beech woodlands. A violet blue horizon comprising thousands of bluebells coming into focus at the base of the trees.
The sight of bluebells en masse is frequently described as a sea, a blanket, a sheet and a carpeting of nodding blue flowers. For me, the sight is akin to a full purple haze and today these wild flowers truly lived up to all those descriptions, even in the drizzle.
The bluebells appear luminous, the colour made more vibrant by the green of the stems and leaves and by the varying shades of the flowers – some dark violet, some pale blue and all the variations in between. Plus a few white bells. The new beech leaves on the trees and the acid green dryopteris ferns growing amongst the bluebells all add to the effect.
Did you know English bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) all curve over in the same direction? The stems looking weighed down by mass of bell shaped flowers
The smell of the bluebells equally assaults the senses. A sweet, honey scented perfume, that tickles your nose as you approach. A perfume certainly not done justice by the bluebell-scented talcum powders I associate with my grandparent's generation! The scent is floral and heady and seems to be retained under the trees.
There's something enchanting about the sound when you’re standing in a wood surrounded by bluebells. Quiet and still. With uplifting bird song, the soporific buzzing of bees collecting nectar from the bluebells, the gentle flutter of birds’ wings, the slow rhythmic patter of drizzly rain on the leaves - and the soft rustling noises of a border terrier ferreting around in the leaf litter!
The UK has half the world's population of bluebells and although bluebell woods are not uncommon, the English bluebell is under threat. That’s a least partially because bluebells don't like change, taking time to settle and spread - it takes more than 5 years for a bluebell seed to turn into a bulb.
It is illegal to pick and sell wild bluebells, bulbs or seeds so don’t be tempted to pick a handful in the woods. They never look as good singularly as enmasse anyway! Do keep to the woodland paths if possible because bluebell leaves bruise when you tread on them and then they can’t produce enough energy to flower and reproduce.
Bluebells are important as an indicator species of ancient woodlands, important habitats with ecosystems that have developed over hundreds of years. Ancient woodland have been in existence since at least the1600s when records began. So the presence of established swathes of bluebells means the woods they’re in are likely to be hundreds of years old.
I think you can "feel" the history in some ancient places and that's certainly true of these bluebell woods. Strange to think they've seen Medieval times and probably even further back, since there used to be a roman villa in these woods and there’s documented evidence of Bronze and Iron age archaeological remains!
For me, standing in such an ancient space amongst trees that have witnessed centuries of history, gives a sense of stability. That's the fourth sense responding to the bluebell woods – touch and feel!
Although bluebells are now regularly voted one of the nation's favourite wild flowers, historically they were shrouded in mystery and magic. Their common name Fairy Flower alludes to links with fairy-lore and dark magic. Indeed bluebell woods were believed to be woven with fairy enchantments, the flower bells said to be rung to summon fairy folk to gatherings. Picking a bluebell would mean being led astray by fairies, to wander lost forevermore.
Bluebells have a raft of other common names too, perhaps not surprisingly when they've been around for hundreds of years! These names include Crows Toes, Wood Bell, Wild Hyacinth, Cuckoo's Boots, Witches 'Thimbles and Granfar Griggles.
In the Victorian language of flowers, the bluebell is a symbol of constancy and everlasting love.
It is said if you wear a wreath of bluebells you can only speak the truth.
Plus - if you can turn a bluebell flower inside-out without tearing it, you will win the one you love!
In Elizabethan times bluebell sap was used to stiffen those most ridiculous items of clothing, ruffs and the sticky sap has historically been used to bind books and to attach feathers to arrows.
A visit to the bluebells woods is an assault on the senses, in a good way. As for the fifth sense, taste - well the bluebells couldn’t help with that since they are poisonous, so I covered that sense off with a well earned cup of tea and slice of cake when I got home!
Go and visit the bluebell woods if you can or look out for them on verges, in parks and gardens. If you’re unable to see them for yourself then I hope my words and photographs convey a sense of standing under the tree canopies surrounded by bluebells. It’s a truly magical natural spectacle.
I’ll be posting my photos of bluebells and spring flowers over on social media so please do come and find me on Instagram at Her_Outdoorz and Facebook HerOutdoorz.
I’d love to hear what Spring joy you find outdoors so do tag me on your posts.
Further Reading…
