Abington Naturewatch: Bluebell - but which sort!

Saturday, 11 April 2026

Bluebell - but which sort!

29th March 2026 - a clump of Bluebells in the Protected Road Verge (PRV 36) along Bourn Bridge Rd has been attracting some recent attention - including some debate as to whether they are native Common Bluebell, or the garden-escape Spanish Bluebell, or a hybrid of the two!

There is some helpful guidance on distinguishing between them on the Wildlife Trust website (link). In brief:

Native Common Bluebell has narrow (1-1.5cm wide) leaves, deep violet-blue (occasionally white) narrow tubular-bell flowers, with only the tips curling back, flowers only on one side of the stem making the stems distinctly droop, with a sweet scent and cream-coloured pollen. Grows in ancient woodland and along woodland edges.

Spanish Bluebell has broad (3cm wide) leaves, paler blue (often white) conical-bell flowers with spreading very open tips, flowers all around the stem, upright stems, with no scent and blue/pale green pollen. Much more vigorous, outcompeting (and hybridising with) the native bluebell. Grows in woodland and along woodland edges, as well as along roadsides and in gardens.

My guess is Spanish/hybrid Bluebell, but I leave it to readers to decide for themselves! (Andy M)

photo David F.

photo Joan N

photo David F.

For comparison, below are images of both native Common Bluebell and Spanish Bluebell, taken from the Wildlife Trust website:

Native Common Bluebell

Spanish Bluebell

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)