PRESS RELEASE

29 September 2006
Save the British Bluebell

Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Grosvenor Garden Centre encourage gardeners to plant British bluebells

The traditional spring spectacle of a thick carpet of bluebells sweeping across the Cheshire countryside is facing an increasingly uncertain future. Cheshire Wildlife Trust warns that the British bluebell is under threat from a combination of the long term effects of climate change, habitat loss and a foreign invasion of the Spanish bluebell.

The first bluebell shoots emerge in January, which is slightly earlier than for other woodland plants. This head start gives them a chance to grow before trees produce leaves and block the light. But as global warming raises temperatures and spring begins earlier the length of this natural advantage is becoming ever shorter.

Recently there has also been another hurdle to overcome, with an increase in demand for bluebells in gardens across the region. This has resulted in the digging up of wild bluebell bulbs, despite the fact that this has been illegal since 1981 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

A further threat comes from the cultivated version of the Spanish bluebell. The British variety has already bred with this to form a hybrid species. This hybrid species is spreading rapidly and threatens to wipe out the British bluebell from many areas if no action is taken.

To help combat these pressures Grosvenor Garden Centre in Chester is working with Cheshire Wildlife Trust to encourage gardeners to plant native British bluebells this autumn. The centre near Chester is stocking the British native bluebell bulbs (Hyacnthoides non-scripta), which if planted this autumn, should provide an inspirational sight in the garden next spring.

Sue Tatman, Gardening Officer from Cheshire Wildlife Trust says, “The traditional British bluebell is an important part of our woodlands and there are simple things we can all do, such as checking the origin of the bulbs we buy, to help preserve the presence of this beautiful flower across Cheshire.”

Cheshire Bluebell Biodiversity Action plan group is also working hard to protect the native bluebell by planting a record number of British native bluebells this year. Paul Oldfield, Nature Conservation Officer for Halton Borough Council explains, “We normally plant around 3,000 native British bulbs per year but this autumn we are planting our highest ever quota of 21,000 bulbs throughout the Halton area of Cheshire, as well as an additional 4,000 in Warrington and Merseyside.”

Tips to grow your own bluebells:

• Make sure you buy the British variety of bulbs
• Plant between August and December
• Use well drained soil with a good supply of humus
• Keep in full or partial shade
• Dig up and destroy any Spanish bluebells near your patch as the two easily hybridize
  

A pack of 10 British bluebells is £2.49, from Grosvenor Garden Centre, which is on Wrexham Road, Belgrave. Chester, CH4 9EB.

You can support the work of Cheshire Wildlife Trust in its campaigns to protect the flora and fauna of the region by becoming a member. Individual membership is £24, joint £30 and family £36. To find out more phone 01270

Ends