Species Spanish bluebell
Violet flowers with dark-green stems.

Spanish bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica

Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) is a spring-flowering bulb with typically bell-shaped, bright blue flowers. Its slender foliage often appears in the form of tufts at the base of each stem. Blooming from March to May, these plants prefer soils that retain some moisture and make an excellent ground cover when planted in shady areas. They are also capable of naturalizing and can reach up to a foot in height. Spanish Bluebells are an easy-to-grow, yet attractive ornamental and are perfect for rock gardens or when planted in groups along pathways.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Bluish lavender Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The Spanish bluebell should be watered regularly and preferably with filtered water. Water the plant every 5-7 days, making sure that the soil stays moist. In warmer climates, it may need to be watered more often. Water the soil until the water runs out the bottom of the pot, and make sure to empty out any drainage tray. During the growing season, fertilize with a liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks.

sunlight

Spanish bluebells should be planted in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The plant benefits from a temperature range of between 53°F - 68°F and is best planted in the springtime when the soil is warm and moist. It is important to avoid planting in areas with a lot of wind or full afternoon sun, as this can cause the flowers to become discolored or dry out. The plant prefers moist, well-drained soil. A fertilizer that is low in nitrogen is recommended. Once they are established, Spanish bluebells should only need occasional watering.

pruning

It is best to prune Spanish bluebells in early spring (March or April). The goal of pruning is to keep the plant looking neat and attractive. Start by removing any dead or damaged foliage. Then, prune any stems that appear to be too long or out of place. Finally, if necessary you can gently trim back any overgrown stems to help control the size and encourage branching. Be sure not to take off too much or you could reduce the number of flowers the plant will produce.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Spanish bluebells typically start flowering in April.

Hardiness Map