Bluebells

Native British Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

There really is something bewitching about the way a Bluebell wood comes to life after its winter slumber each year. This magickal quality was not lost on our ancestors who believed numerous superstitions and folklore concerning Bluebell woods.

The Vibrant Hue of Woodland Bluebells

Such was the beauty of ancient woodlands decorated with sweeping carpets of Bluebells,  they were considered by many to be of unearthly origin. Bluebell woods were thought very dangerous places by folklore. Faeries were said to live in these places and to walk into a Bluebell wood was to risk being whisked away into their Nether World!

Bluebells Decorating a Spring-Time Woodland

Such belief might well be behind the superstition that it was bad luck to pick Bluebells and bring them into one's home. Today, so precious are these wonderful flowers that it is now illegal to pick them in the wild.

British Bluebells in Full Bloom

Bluebells were said to chime out to summon faeries to meetings and if a human was to hear their peel they were sure to die within the year. A further magical attribute attached to the plant was the notion that wearing a wreath of Bluebells would compel its wearer to speak the truth.

A Woodland Carpet of Bluebells

The Bluebells illustrated on this page are our native species of the plant (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and are becoming increasing rare. The Spanish Bluebell, introduced into Britain as a garden ornament, is now threatening the population of our less hardy, and prettier, native species. Hybrid species of our native and the Spanish Bluebell are also taking a toll on the number of Hyacinthoides non-scripta. With Britain being home to a large percentage of the World's entire population of this species, the native Bluebell is getting less and less common :o(

A Magickal Spring Time Sight...

A Bluebell Wood