Re: Bluebells!

That must have been lovely. Daffodils will be blooming here in a couple of weeks. They are one of my favorite flowers because they remind me of spring. Right now, everything is covered with snow and ice.

Re: Bluebells!

Well folks it finally happened! As you can see from my profile piccie, the beautiful Bluebells are here in all their glory. It makes my three walks with my wee dog all the more enjoyable. Even she seems to enjoy romping through them. I think she can sense that summer is just around the corner..hopefully.

Re: Bluebells!

lots of them in my local park, lovely!

Re: Bluebells!

I didn't know until last week, that there are our native English Bluebells and Spanish Bluebells. The English ones are a deeper, richer blue with the tip of the stem bending over, and the Spanish interlopers are a lighter shade of blue and very upright. Then apparently, the Spanish ones "breed" with our English ones and make hybrids.
Upon learning this bit of information, I went outside and had a look at mine in the garden and discovered I have Spanish ones (and some white ones too).
Do you know which yours are?

Re: Bluebells!

Hi Mups. The Spanish ones are quite a bit larger with thicker strappy leaves and as you say much taller. I have both in my garden and I have to control the larger ones by removing a few bulbs now and then. They can get a bit thuggish and once the flowers go over the leaves get very messy.

Re: Bluebells!

Hi Ez. I know what you mean, I had the problem in my previous garden of them taking over. They were coming up all over the place.

Re: Bluebells!

Well it's happened! Bluebells to Brambles! The Brambles have certainly taken over.. waist high now over a very wide area. I take my cutters with me in the mornings to uncover the footpaths. So many of them in flower so at least I can say it will be a good year for Apple & Blackberry Pies and Crumbles and the like.

Re: Bluebells!

Or even Blackberry Gin!!!

Re: Bluebells!

I opened this thread hoping to see bluebell pictures.
Now I want to try blackberry gin!

Re: Bluebells!

Very simple to make Jackie darlin' - you'll need a large Kilner jar with a sealable lid, a very cheap bottle of Gin, 4 - 5 lb Blackberries, 1 Kilo bag of Sugar.


Once picked, thoroughly wash blackberries. Place in Kilner jar, add sugar and pour in as much of the Gin as will fit in the Kilner jar to fill it to within 1/4 inch of the top. With the handle of a wooden spoon, gently stir the sugar and keep doing this repeatedly for the next few days until the sugar has dissolved. Place lid firmly on kilner jar and store away in a cool dark place for approx 3 months. NB Blackberry gin makes a good 'Sauce' over Icecream and thickens gravy beautifully.