Hyacinthoides hispanica, or Spanish bluebells are one of the best spring bulbs. Any type of bluebell is a great addition to the garden, but Spanish bluebells put on a better show than most of the others. They flower later than other bluebells and are much taller, allowing them to make a big splash in the garden.
Hyacinthoides hispanica are also called wood hyacinth, and scilla. They are native to Spain and Portugal but have become a relatively common plant in many countries. They like part shade, but I grow them in full sun which they seem to like in zone 5. They are deer and rodent resistant and will grow in just about any soil. Plant them and forget them.
The other common blue bell is the English bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta. The Spanish bluebell is much taller, has flower bells on all sides of the stem and the flower stem is more upright. The Spanish bluebell has blue anthers while the English or common bluebell has creamy-white ones. The two species cross breed easily and garden plants may be hybrids.
Available in white, pink and various shades of blue.
Hyacinthoides hispanica
(hy-uh-sin-THOY-deez his-PAN-ih-kuh)
Life Cycle: perennial bulb
Height: 40 cm (1.5 ft)
Bloom Time: late spring
Natural Range: Spain and Portugal
Habitat: woodland edges
Synonyms: Endymion campanulatus, Endymion hispanicus, Scilla campanulata, Scilla hispanica
Cultivation of Hyacinthoides hispanica:
Light: full sun to shade
Soil: not fussy
Water: regular moisture in spring, drought tolerant in summer
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Propagation: seed, offsets
