FURTHER ARTICLES:    BLUEBELLS | ORCHIDS | SOME PLANT FACTS

BLUEBELLS IN CUMBRIA Britain is supposed to hold something like one third of all the bluebells in the world. Its preference for a mild Atlantic sea-board climate means that Cumbria is the perfect county for this species and its is found in around 65% of all the tetrads in the county i.e. virtually all outside the upland areas. The native species has been at risk as its woodland habitat falls victim to climate changes, agricultural demands and the coniferous planting of the past. Further risk is posed from hybridisation with introduced Spanish Bluebells. Famous spots in the Lake District are at Rannerdale and Low Wood by Wast Water, but South Cumbria in particular has some spectacular displays of Bluebell carpets, usually at their best around the second/third week of May. The Rusland Valley in particular has excellent displays that can be seen from the roadside, as in the photo below taken amongst the famous Rusland Beeches. Here the plant grows in its true habitat of ancient woodland, flowering well where enough light penetrates the tree canopy in the early spring. It can also flower spectacularly in open ground, but this usually indicates a site of former woodland, as at nearby Hay Bridge across the valley in the photo below: In the 17th century Spanish Bluebells were introduced into British gardens and these have hybridised with our native species to such an extent that around one third of all Bluebells in Britain are hybrids, especially around towns. Spanish Bluebells are frequently found in churchyards, parks and gardens. Because of its rural nature Cumbria has not yet suffered heavily from this hybridisation - examples of hybrids are however found on roadsides and waste ground especially in the Furness Peninsula, around the Solway Plain and between Keswick and Penrith. The native species has a flower spike that hangs down to one side, has flowers that are deep blue-violet (although sometimes pale, rarely pink or white) with straight-sided bells and rolled-back tips, has creamy-white anthers and is scented (especially in warm weather). The Spanish species has a stiff upright flower spike, has longer-stalked flowers that are pale to mid-blue (sometimes white and pink) with flared open bells having straight tips, has pale to dark blue anthers and no scent. Hybrids have intermediate character as illustrated below:

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