Spanish Bluebells

Concern is mounting about the number of Spanish bluebells which have appeared at Boat Green and in Garries Wood. The Spanish bluebells compete with the native bluebells and can also hybridise with them. After checking with Scottish Natural Heritage who said that it was OK to dig them out as they are not a native species volunteers have started on this project and would welcome any help in tracing the Spanish bluebells and removing them.

English Bluebells - Flowers of native bluebells are narrowly bell-shaped, with straight-sided petals, deeply curled back at the tips. The majority of flowers droop from one side of the stem. The anthers are creamy-white and the leaves narrow, usually between 7-15mm wide (although occasionally up to 20mm).

Spanish and Hybrid Bluebells –The bell-shaped flowers of Spanish bluebells and hybrids open more widely than on English bluebells, with the petal tips just flaring outwards or curling back only slightly. Some flowers may droop from one side, but most are arranged all around the stem and held more erect. The anthers of Spanish and hybrid bluebells are usually pale to dark blue, and the leaves are wider, up to 30-35mm across.
Info from the Royal Horticultural Society Gardening Advice web page (http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0507/bluebells.asp)