Nature in the city ...

Nature is very cunning. The snowdrops are out and celandines are beginning to flower. By the time you read this article, it will be the turn of the bluebells and primroses. All these plants have a strategy to come up early in spring, before the trees break out into leaf. This way they can produce their flowers and set seed before their big brothers plunge them into shade. They are all native plants but are rarely seen these days in cities outside gardens and parks.

The true English bluebell for instance, is unusual in Hull. It appreciates undisturbed ground, taking a long time to establish and spread. An indicator of ancient and natural woodland, it grows each spring from a bulb deep in the soil, relying on a rapid rise in soil temperature. A woodland clearing carpeted with bluebells is one of the finest sights of springtime.

English bluebells can be identified by their narrow leaves (7-15mm), drooping flower spike and nodding, cylindrical 'bells'. Most bluebells in Hull are probably of the imported Spanish variety, which comes in white and pink as well as blue. They are quite vigorous, and spread much faster than the native type.

Spanish bluebells also hybridise with the English variety, naturalise easily and can be found in old cemeteries, copses and shady areas. They usually have wider leaves than English bluebells (10-35mm) and more rigid flower spikes and bells.

We'd like you to help us find out how many of our local bluebells are native, using the descriptions above to distinguish between Spanish and English varieties. We could also do with records of primroses - the pale, natural ones, not the multi-coloured versions you see in the garden centres. Happy spotting!

Tel: 612478
e-mail: jon.capel@hullcc.gov.uk