One of the great pleasures of early summer is to stroll through a bluebell wood; the carpet of blue and the wonderful scent of the flowers are delights that lift the spirit. It can help us to dispel those undesirable ‘blues’. But for how much longer will we be able to do this? The bluebell, like many other plant species, is under threat. What is the history of this beautiful plant, and how will it fare in the future?

Our native bluebell, botanical name Hyacinthoides non-scripta, is found in all parts of the British Isles except Orkney and Shetland. We are used to seeing the plant in a woodland setting, but it can also thrive in open country. On the wetter western side of the country, it can be found growing in hedgerows, on grass banks, and even clinging to cliffs.

Over the centuries, local names for the bluebell have been passed down through the generations; these vary widely in different parts of the country: bell bottle, blue bonnets, Adder’s flower, and fairy bells are some that are still in use today. The last of these reflects some myths surrounding the flower’s relationship with the fairy. Bluebell woods are said to be enchanted areas used by fairies and are dangerous places to linger around midnight, as this is when the fairies come out to dance to the music of the ringing bluebells. Be warned! They do not take human interruption kindly.

Something old, something new

There are many superstitions surrounding the bluebell. It is said that if you are unfortunate enough to hear a bluebell ring, you will not be long for this world! In some parts of the country, bringing bluebells into the house is considered unlucky. This may not have as much to do with the actual flower as with its colour; the colour blue was highly significant in times past. The pharaohs of Egypt wore blue for protection against evil forces. The Virgin Mary is always depicted wearing blue clothing, attaching an element of holiness to the colour. People wore blue beads to ward off common illnesses, a tradition that did not die out in many places until the first quarter of the twentieth century. We are all familiar with the old saying, ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.’ The tradition of a bride wearing something blue on her wedding day to bring good luck to the marriage is an ancient one that is still taken very seriously. I am sure that even these days there are very few brides going to the altar who are not wearing something blue – even if well hidden. Yes, even in our enlightened times, we take these things very seriously. It is, therefore, understandable that superstition has attached itself to a flower that can be as vibrantly blue as the bluebell.

Before the nineteenth century, the interest in plants was mainly twofold – could they be eaten, or did they cure illness? In medieval times, the extracts from the bluebell plant were used to treat leprosy and were believed to be effective against snakebites. During the nineteenth century, flowers began to be appreciated more for their beauty and were given symbolic meaning. Given as gifts or tokens of love, choosing the correct bloom to convey your message became very important; a whole library of flowers with different meanings was available. The bluebell became a symbol of constancy.

Powerful new medicines?

Scientists are investigating some of the bluebell’s unique qualities; it contains substances that may be useful in developing treatments for serious human illnesses such as cancer. Perhaps one day, it will be a common site to see fields of cultivated bluebells being grown for the pharmaceutical industry. But beware! All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans; the sap from the stems can also cause dermatitis. The Ministry of Agriculture reports that cases of poisoning have occurred when the bulbs have been mistaken for onions.

Is the bluebell under serious threat of decline? A real worry is the effect of global warming. If this continues to increase, the plant will encounter significant problems competing with other species. More vigorous types of plants will appear earlier in the growing season and may stifle the growth of the bluebell. Beds of bluebells can be physically damaged through trampling; leaves and stems are crushed, preventing the plant from storing food for the next season. However tempting it is to wander through the bluebells, resist – stay on the path. Humans are not the only culprits. In many parts of the country, the size of wild deer herds is increasing. They will not eat the plant, but unlike us, they don’t use footpaths, causing damage as they range through the woodland.

Thousands of bulbs are dug illegally

The Wildlife and Countryside Act protects the bluebell, but this has not deterred unscrupulous people who quickly realised that there is a ready market for the bulbs. Naturalised gardens have become fashionable in recent years, and the demand for wildflowers has increased. Gangs of men visit woodland and dig thousands of bulbs that are then sold to the public through third parties. Newspaper reports of prosecutions have not stopped this business from which big money can be made. Always ensure, when buying bluebells (or snowdrops) for your garden, that you purchase cultivated stock and not bulbs illegally removed from the wild.

It is not all bad news, as many nature conservation organisations are working hard to improve the lot of the bluebell, and their efforts are already being rewarded. So get out and about this summer and visit some bluebell woodland in your area. My tip is to go very early in the morning or later in the afternoon; the colour is then at its most striking, and the scent is at its strongest.

If you are not sure where your nearest bluebell woods are located, then contact the Norfolk Wildlife Trust for details.