Description
Hyacinthoides italica, the Italian Bluebell has 5-10 leaves which resemble the narrow ones of non-scripta (the English Bluebell) but it has the larger, more even, flower head found in hispanica (the Spanish Bluebell).
These flowers are held on stems 20-30cm tall in dense, conical heads of between 5 and 30 blooms. These have two narrow bracts behind each, 1cm wide, upwards-facing, violet-blue star. Flowering can take place any time between February and May.
This likes a sunny spot in the garden and despite being early flowering it seems to thrive and grow well in almost any soil.
This species is native to the n.w. Italy, western Liguria, the Alpes Maritimes of s. France and it is apparently also found in n.e. Spain
AGM (RHS)
