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English or Spanish; remove or not?

yorkiethorntonyorkiethornton Posts: 100
in Plants
They look nice for now, and have popped up in numerous places. Hear a lot about digging out the Spanish variety but not sure what these are? Any confirmation please? TIA.
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Posts

  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I’d say Spanish and would take them out unless you particularly wanted to keep them in that spot. This article tells you the differences

    https://granthamecology.com/2012/05/16/whats-the-difference-between-english-and-spanish-bluebells/
    Rutland, England
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    If they are standing straight up and look like mini hyacinth they are Spanish and need to be controlled.If they are hanging their lovely heads and are quite skinny they are native and can be left to grow. 
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    Viva Espana! Or not, as the case may be ;) 
    East Lancs
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Native flowers only grow on one side of the stem. Yes I would remove the Spainish ones.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I would take out all the Spanish, yes. 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    People seem to think it is easy to tell the difference, unfortunately that is not always the case, especially as there are so many hybrids now out there.
    The Spanish ones are a bit thuggish, but can still be very beautiful.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I have English ones in the front and Spanish ones in the back and neither have been invasive. I think they are both very pretty and both have merits. 
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Pollen colour is thought to be a good guide, but even this can be difficult as some hybrids have blueish pollen too.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    You do have to keep a close eye on them as they can run rampant. Every Spring after flowering l dig out any that are in the wrong place and also thin out the clumps. 
    They can go down quite deep though, so you need to get the fork right in  :)
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    It might be tricky to detect the hybrids, but surely a straight English blue bell is pretty distinctive - habits of blooms and leaves ? 
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