A Seasonal Celebration of the Land, Garden & Nature
Warmth Arrives, Rain Showers, New Shoots, Emerging Butterflies, Abundant Blossom, Shortened Nights, Seed-Sowing.
Issue 11 April 2020
The Glory of a Bluebell Wood
"My hundred thousand bells of blue,
They did not disappoint!
The bluebells hit from a distance. A violet blue horizon appearing at the base of the trees, as I drew close to the wooded copse.
The sight of bluebells en masse is commonly (and very accurately) described as a sea of nodding blue flowers, a blanket of purple-blue, a carpeting of bluebells. For me, the sight is akin to a full purple haze and on this occasion these wild flowers truly lived up to all those descriptions.
The next sense to be assailed by this wildflower spectacle was smell. A sweet, honey scented perfume, that reached me as I approached the woods. A perfume certainly not done justice by the bluebell-scented talcum powders I associate with my grandparent's generation! The scent was heady and seemed to be retained under the trees.
There's something enchanting about standing in a woodland surrounded by bluebells. Quiet and still. Listening to bird song, the buzzing of the bees collecting nectar from the bluebells - and the soft rustling noises of a border terrier ferreting around in the leaf litter!
This little copse offered more than just bluebells. The woodland floor was also strewn with wild primroses, celandines, white wood anemones, ferns and cow parsley. All putting on a magnificent show in the dappled sunlight, before the tree canopies grow in.
I've been back to the bluebell woods twice now and would love to make a third trip in the evening to enjoy the 'blue hour' amongst the bluebells. I suspect the flowers will glow in the dwindling light.
I found a raft of different common names for bluebells, perhaps not surprisingly when they've been around for hundreds of years! These include Crows Toes, Wood Bell, Wild Hyacinth, Fairy Flower, Cuckoo's Boots, Witches 'Thimbles and Granfar Griggles.
Despite the bluebell being poisonous, historically the plant has been used to treat a raft of conditions from spider bits to leprosy to nightmares!
Keep well, breathe and remember to look outside and notice the details.
"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
During lockdown, I though it unlikely that I'd get to see this years bluebell show. However, a friend seriously brightened my day when she mentioning that the bluebells were out in a near copse.
I've been walking and running near these woods for years, never making the detour to follow the marked footpath over the arable fields; never realising the path leads to woodland.
I love discovering a new local walk - the unseen views, landmarks and corners of Nature - so last week I ventured out to see the bluebells for my hour of daily exercise.
They did not disappoint!
The bluebells hit from a distance. A violet blue horizon appearing at the base of the trees, as I drew close to the wooded copse.
The sight of bluebells en masse is commonly (and very accurately) described as a sea of nodding blue flowers, a blanket of purple-blue, a carpeting of bluebells. For me, the sight is akin to a full purple haze and on this occasion these wild flowers truly lived up to all those descriptions.
The next sense to be assailed by this wildflower spectacle was smell. A sweet, honey scented perfume, that reached me as I approached the woods. A perfume certainly not done justice by the bluebell-scented talcum powders I associate with my grandparent's generation! The scent was heady and seemed to be retained under the trees.
There's something enchanting about standing in a woodland surrounded by bluebells. Quiet and still. Listening to bird song, the buzzing of the bees collecting nectar from the bluebells - and the soft rustling noises of a border terrier ferreting around in the leaf litter!
And just like that the third of my senses was in the thrall of the bluebells - sound.
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. As an indicator species of ancient woodland, the presence of bluebells helps to identify wooded areas that have been in existence since at least the 1600s. So it seems this little wooded copse is 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! For me, standing in an ancient space amongst trees that have witnessed centuries of history, gives some stability in these uncertain times. That's the fourth sense responding to the bluebell woods - touch/feel!
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. As an indicator species of ancient woodland, the presence of bluebells helps to identify wooded areas that have been in existence since at least the 1600s. So it seems this little wooded copse is 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! For me, standing in an ancient space amongst trees that have witnessed centuries of history, gives some stability in these uncertain times. That's the fourth sense responding to the bluebell woods - touch/feel!
I've been back to the bluebell woods twice now and would love to make a third trip in the evening to enjoy the 'blue hour' amongst the bluebells. I suspect the flowers will glow in the dwindling light.
I hope my photos convey a sense of the bluebell woods and that they help you enjoy a sense of standing under the tree canopies surrounded by bluebells. A truly magical natural spectacle.
And as for the fifth sense - well I covered taste off with a well earned cup of tea and slice of cake when I got home!
ROOTS
I found a raft of different common names for bluebells, perhaps not surprisingly when they've been around for hundreds of years! These include Crows Toes, Wood Bell, Wild Hyacinth, Fairy Flower, Cuckoo's Boots, Witches 'Thimbles and Granfar Griggles.
Although bluebells are now a crowd pleaser and regularly voted one of the nation's favourite wild flowers; historically they were shrouded in mystery and magic. Their common names allude to a link with fairy-lore and dark magic. Indeed bluebell woods were believed to be be woven with fairy enchantments, the flower bells were said to be rung to summon fairy folk to gatherings and picking a bluebell would result in you being led astray by fairies, to wander lost forevermore.
In Elizabethan times bluebell sap was used to stiffen those most ridiculous items of clothing, ruffs! The sticky sap has also been used back in the mists of time, to bind books and to attach feathers to arrows.
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!
RESTORE
Although the bluebell plant isn't used in modern medicine, research is ongoing into the efficacy of the bluebell bulb in the fight against cancer.
The bulb has been found to have diuretic and styptic (stops bleeding) properties.
The bulb has been found to have diuretic and styptic (stops bleeding) properties.
Footnote
The UK has half the world's population of bluebells and although bluebell woods are not uncommon, the English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is under threat. It is illegal to pick and sell wild bluebells, bulbs or seeds.
The UK has half the world's population of bluebells and although bluebell woods are not uncommon, the English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is under threat. It is illegal to pick and sell wild bluebells, bulbs or seeds.
At the moment we have a responsibility to stay home and avoid social contact outside of our families. However you decide to spend your days do try and get outside safely if you can - in your garden or on a balcony or taking your daily exercise outside away from others under big skies.
Let me know what April highlights you spot and/or photograph.
If you have any questions you can reach me via my website www.plotgardendesign.co.uk and please follow/like PLOT Garden Design on social media to receive my seasonal updates and photos.
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