Above: common bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). Because I have a garden shaded by chestnut trees, there are always swathes of bluebells in May. The flowering season is short, and the flowers have now already gone, leaving bunches of leaves rapidly turning into a sort of mush.
In Greek mythology the plant was named after Hyacinth, a mortal who died in a sporting accident (the cult animated one of the principle festivals of Sparta). In England the presence of large numbers of bluebells indicates ancient, usually primeval, woodland. The bulbs have styptic properties.
Above: the Bluebell Line is a steam railway that runs through Sussex, and got its name because it passed through landscapes famous for carpets of bluebells. It is staffed mainly by volunteers. Now limited to just nine miles, the railway has featured in numerous film and television productions.
Above: the Bluebell Inn - originally this pub got its name because of the bluebells that grew in the area. As you can see on the pub sign, the name is now related to a blue-coloured bell rather than a plant (possibly a bell was easier to paint). Very pleasant country pub, despite the busy road.
1 comment:
Lovely! I grew up partly in Buckinghamshire, near some very large bluebell woods, and this post brought back some very pleasant memories.
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