Hyacinthoides nonscripta
Bluebell
a member of the Hyacinthoides genus in the family Liliaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Genus
- Hyacinthoides
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Spread
- 0.2 m
- Fertility
- Flies, Beetles
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Flies, Beetles
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The bulb (and the whole plant?) is poisonous[8].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The bulb has diuretic and styptic properties[8]. It is used as a remedy for leucorrhoea[8].
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Styptic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A glue is obtained from the sap in the bulb and stem[8][9][10]. Simply cut open a bulb and apply the sap to whatever needs to be joined[K]. It makes an excellent paper glue, the join is stronger than the surrounding paper[9]. It would not work on non-absorbent materials such as plastics and glass[K]. A starch from the bulb has been used in laundering[8], it is very harsh on the skin[9].
- Product or use
- Adhesive
- Product or use
- Starch
Environment
- Range
- Western Europe from the Netherlands and Britain o Belgium and France.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow early spring or as soon as ripe in a cold frame. It usually requires stratification. If you have plenty of seed it can be sown in situ, but it is usually more economical to sow it in a frame. If sown thinly, the seedlings can be left in their pots for the first year, though give them regular liquid feeds to make sure that they get sufficient nutrient. Prick out the seedlings about 3 to a pot and grow on for 1 - 2 more years before planting out into their permanent positions when they are dormant[K]. Division of the bulbs in summer after the leaves die down. Larger bulbs can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year in a cold frame before planting them out when dormant in late summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily grown in a soil rich in leafmold[11], preferring semi-shade[6][7] but tolerating full sun. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a heavy one[3]. Succeeds in the dry shade of trees[2][4]. Bulbs like to be quite deep in the soil[3]. The flowers diffuse a balsam-like scent in the sunshine[5].
References
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9
Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2
Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2
Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1