English Bluebell
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
English Bluebell is a bulb for bulb layer, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay or loam, flowering Apr, May.
| Type | Bulb |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 30 cm |
| Spread | 8 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 5a-8b, RHS H6 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 30 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 8 cm of room to spread, roughly 12 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 5a to 8b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses English Bluebell's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Blackthornfor height behind it
- Common Hazelfor height behind it
- Common Honeysucklefor height behind it
- Common Ivyto edge in front
- Dwarf guelder rosefor height behind it
- English Hollyfor height behind it