Spanish Bluebell

It is distinguished from the common bluebell by its larger, paler, less pendulous blue flowers which do not all droop to one side like the common bluebell; a more erect flower stem (raceme); broader leaves; blue anthers (where the common bluebell has creamy-white ones); and little or no scent, unlike the strong fragrance of the northern species. Like Hyacinthoides non-scripta, it occurs in pink- and white-flowered forms.

Hyacinthoides hispanica is native to the western part of the Iberian Peninsula (excluding the far northwest), including Portugal and western Spain. However, it has naturalised and is cultivated in many other European countries, as well as in North America and Australia. The Spanish bluebell was introduced to the United Kingdom in the late 17th century. Since then, it has frequently hybridised with the native common bluebell, and the resulting hybrids are regarded as invasive. Both the resulting hybrid Hyacinthoides × massartiana and the Spanish bluebell produce highly fertile seed but it is generally the hybrid that invades areas of the native common bluebell. This has caused the common bluebell to be viewed as a threatened species. The Spanish bluebell is also cultivated as a garden plant, and several named cultivars exist with flowers in various shades of white, pink and blue.