Flowers are a beautiful gift from Mother Nature. They are this amazing mixture of sweetness, affection, and love so intense and tender, all at the same time. With their very wide range of meanings, colors, and scents, they are the best tool to bring bright colors and beauty into your life and your environment.
The flower that we are going to talk about in this article is called “Bluebell” or “Hyacinth non-scripta,” which is from the Liliaceae family, and there is a very funny and mythological story about it: The flower was called “Endymion” as a reference to a young Greek shepherd of great and amazing beauty. Séléné, the goddess of the Moon, felt so madly in love with him. In order to always be with him, she plunged him into eternal sleep. In fact, this flower is gently leaning towards the ground, giving this impression of being asleep!
In this the article, the following is discussed:
- What are the amazing benefits of bluebell flowers?
- What are the characteristics of bluebell flowers?
- What is the meaning of bluebell Flowers?
- How to plant bluebell flowers?
What are the Amazing Benefits of Bluebell Flowers?
This blue flower has more to give than just her light scent and her use as an ornamental plant in herbaceous borders. In fact, the bluebell flower can provide a wide range of biochemical compounds with possible medicinal properties: We are talking here about at least 15 biologically active compounds, which can provide protection against insects and animals. Moreover, some extracts are similar to the compounds tested for use in the fight against HIV and cancer.
Their bulbs are still used in traditional medicine against leukemia, and as a diuretic or a hemostatic. In addition, the flower sap contains a strong glue used to fix arrows for native people who still use them.
You may not use this plant for all that we have said above, but this is just a reminder for you to remember how amazing nature is, and certainly is a good example of how many of our medicines come from flowers and herbs. In fact, depending on your health, bluebell flowers may be your best friend one day.
What are the Characteristics of Bluebell Flowers?
The bluebell is a flower that stands from 20 to 40 centimeters high. It has a hazelnut-sized bulb that has contractile root, which make it slide deeper into more moist soil layers. Its linear basal leaves are curved and often in groups of three or six.
During the bluebell’s flowering in April or May, this flower tends to be on a semi pendent unilateral raceme, which gives the plant the appearance of sleeping, as mentioned in the legend, above.
The bluebell lives mainly in areas along the Atlantic Ocean. It is almost absent elsewhere. In fact, in Europe, it is a good indicator of the oceanic climate. Its global distribution includes the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, all of the British Isles, as well as the north, center, and west of France, and Belgium.
This plant does not like much sun; it prefers half-shaded places with soil that is well supplied with moisture and nutrients. The bluebells prefers soil that is moderately acidic to neutral, with stony texture.
What is the Meaning of the Bluebell Flower?
Another mythological story about the bluebell flower or “Hyacinth non-scripta” does exist: In Greek mythology, Apollo, the god of the Sun, and Zephyr, the god of the Wind, were competing over the affection of a young boy named Hyakinthos. At one point, Apollo taught him how to throw a disc and Zephyr became so angry that he blew a violent wind in the direction of Apollo, thus returning the disc, which killed the poor little boy. Apollo, while crying over the boy’s body noticed that a flower was growing from his spilled blood and named it “hyacinth” in honor of the boy.
Bluebell flowers also symbolize hope. You can give it to someone to give him or her a message of hope, like when that person is waiting for important news. However, you should always remember that this flower is a protected plant, so you should never pick it wildly from the environment.
How to Plant Bluebell Flowers
Although very rustic, robust, and easy to grow, the bluebell flower can find its place in the majority of gardens with a shaded space under the cover of large trees, for example, where it can multiply with a very high speed to spread out in beautiful bluish carpets.
This plant should grow in fresh, well-drained soil in partial shade, preferably during early autumn to ensure early flowering. You should also plant the bulb at a depth equivalent to 2.5 times its height. There is no need for you to water your bulbs and no maintenance is necessary on this plant, which can naturalize itself over the years.
If your flowers are on a lawn, be careful not to mow it before the leaves have fully wilted so that the plant can build up its reserves to flower abundantly the following year. Now you can enjoy your garden year after year.
Nature is full of secrets and wonders that never cease to inspire admiration in the minds of human beings. Among them, there are flowers with pure visual and olfactory pleasures. They can express whatever your heart wants to say, and they can be a welcome gift for all occasions. Of course, they can also embellish your beautiful garden. Let your bluebell flowers seduce the hearts of your friends and family and express your deep feelings of hope for a brighter and better future.
This bluebell does not ask for much care to grow, but it can bring a lot of beauty and a very light, yet appreciable scent to your house, which can undeniably charm your beloved ones and visitors.
Moreover, you should always remember that the bluebell is a protected plant, so by having it in your garden, you contribute to its protection and durability.