Bluebell woods

                                               Daybreak reveals her colours

                                                  To the call of a warbler’s tune

                                               And in the dimness of the early woods

                                                  Shadows are pierced by golden plumes

                                               The bluebells spring up beside the paths

                                                  Where they raise their playful heads

                                               But in the autumn their bright blue colours

                                                  Will be replaced with blushing reds

                                               The birchwoods are enchanted

                                                  When the evening starts to glow

                                               Though nature cannot hide her grief

                                                  When you hear the westwind blow

                                               But if you walk with me tomorrow

                                                  Through snow that’s soft and deep 

                                               You’ll see the colours woods abandon

                                                  And the promises they keep

There is an ancient myth which says the dashing young Prince Hyacinthus, when his blood was spilled on the ground, caused a flower to magically spring up in his place. Although Hyacinthoides non-scripta - to give bluebells their formal botanical name, did not belong to the same species of the ancient Greek script, they certainly share the same seemingly magical property of appearing as if from nowhere. In the United Kingdom this phenomenon occurs en masse in late spring, when the unique ecological conditions provided by shaded woods and increasing daylight hours signal the start of a cascade of ecological changes. Micheldever Woods - where the above photo was taken - is one of the finest examples of such a forest, although shady hillsides and hedgerows may also provide suitable habitats on a smaller scale. 

Although dense stands of striking flowers such as in the photo above are usually a sign of mature or even ancient woodlands, bluebells in the vicinity of towns are actually often hybrids between the British and the Spanish bluebell, an invasive species with which British bluebells readily cross-pollinate. Widespread hybridisation has unfortunately resulted in a huge loss of genetic diversity among British bluebells, meaning that conservation efforts are now needed to protect this species. Many stunningly beautiful woods are still found throughout the United Kingdom though, and are especially worth a visit in the late springtime if you ever find a chance to do so. Should you be unfortunate like me however and live far away, a guided tour of a bluebell wood in season will hopefully still convey some impression of their beauty.

- Matthew Edward Scarborough

© Copyright 2020 poetry and text. All rights reserved. Image by David Clapp with gettyimages 

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