Bluebell
The carpets of bluebells in our ancient woods are one of the highlights of spring.
The carpets of bluebells in our woods are one of the highlights of spring. An April visit to Lesnes Abbey Wood, Chalk Wood, Bexley Park Woods or North Cray Wood will reveal spectacular displays of blue flowers.
In eastern Britain, bluebells are largely restricted to ancient woodland, but in the damper west they are also found in more open habitats, including moorland.
Bluebells are still common and widespread in suitable habitats, but there is some concern that climate change might cause them problems, especially in the south-east, where the climate is expected to become much drier. In urban areas, native bluebells are also threatened by hybridisation with the larger, paler garden bluebell, which sometimes escapes or is thrown out from gardens.
Bluebells are legally protected; it is illegal to dig them up without the landowner's permission, and illegal to sell bluebells taken from the wild.
