Why is it illegal to pick bluebells in England?

Bluebells are an essential part of our natural heritage. Almost half the world's bluebells are found in the UK and colonies of this delicate wild flower take a long time to establish – around five to seven years from seed to bloom. They're considered so important that they're a protected species in the UK.

Why is it illegal to remove bluebells?

Bluebells can take years to recover from the damage caused by trampling, and if their leaves are crushed they can be weakened (as they can no longer photosynthesise). The bluebell is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).

Can I pick bluebells in my own garden?

Bluebells are legally protected and it is against the law to dig them up from the wild. Make sure you ask your garden centre, nursery or online supplier to confirm the bulbs are cultivated, not wild–collected and also that they are both sourced and grown in the UK.

What is the fine for picking bluebells?

Online garden centre, Gardening Express, is reminding Brits that picking flowers, such as bluebells or daffodils, could result in imprisonment or a fine of up to £5,000.

Can I remove bluebells from my garden?

Where shoots appear from among clumps of low-growing garden plants, carefully insert a garden fork to its full depth close to the shoot. Work the handle of the fork to loosen the bulb then, grasping the shoot, gently ease the bulb out of the earth.

6 Things You May Not Know About Bluebells 😮

What happens if you pick bluebells?

It's against the law to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy bluebells. Bluebells have soft, succulent leaves that are particularly sensitive to being trodden on. Once the leaves are damaged, they are unable to absorb the sun and photosynthesise, so they die back.

Can I cut down bluebells?

After flowering has finished for the season leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. If they are naturalised in grass, avoid mowing until the leaves have fully died back. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulbs for the future.

Is it illegal to pick poppies UK?

Under the 1981 Act It is unlawful to intentional pick, uproot or destroy the wild plant or any seed or spore attached to the wild plant.

Is it illegal to collect bluebell seeds?

In the UK, native bluebells are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) which prohibits anyone from picking or destroying the flowers, digging up the bulbs, or collecting bluebells from the wild for sale.

Why can't you pick daffodils?

It is illegal to pick daffodils from any park, roundabout or verge that's maintained by a council or community organisation. However, if fruit, foliage, fungi or flowers are growing wild and are to be picked for your personal use only, it's not normally an offence to do so.

Can you walk through bluebells?

Bluebell bulbs are easily damaged by trampling so they can't produce enough energy to flower and reproduce in subsequent years. Areas of high footfall can even cause entire colonies to die out. Help us to look after them by sticking to paths and avoid treading on or near bluebell plants.

Can you get white and pink bluebells?

Spanish bluebells have:

pale blue (often white or pink), conical-bell flowers, with spreading and open tips. flowers all around the stem.

What is the difference between Spanish bluebells and English bluebells?

They are a little more delicate than English bluebells and have a more slender stem and delicate leaves. The Spanish bluebell's flower is also smaller, with a darker shade of blue that's almost violet in color. English bluebells are a bit more hearty than their Spanish counterparts.

Is it unlucky to pick bluebells?

In some parts of the country it is thought unlucky to take bluebells into the house, although it is actually illegal to pick wildflowers. However, not everything associated with this beautiful wildflower is quite so forbidding; in the language of flowers, the bluebell stands for constancy.

Are bluebells safe to touch?

The bulbs are easily mistaken for spring onions or garlic. Bluebell sap is believed to cause dermatitis and skin irritation. All varieties of bluebells contain glycosides, and therefore all varieties are poisonous.

When did it become illegal to pick bluebells?

Since 1998 it has been illegal for anyone to collect native bluebells from the wild for sale. This legislation was designed specifically to protect bluebell from unscrupulous bulb collectors who supply garden centres.

Are English bluebells invasive?

Do make sure that you do it with English bluebells and not Spanish. The English bluebell, which hangs just down on one side, and we think of as a carpet in woodland, is not too invasive." "Whereas, the Spanish bluebell, which hangs on both sides and is bigger and generally more robust, is truly, truly invasive.

Can you just scatter bluebell seeds?

Sowing bluebell seed is much easier than planting bulbs—seed can be scattered at a rate of 160-500/m² in autumn. Depending on your situation and levels of shade, weed control may be necessary.

Can I pick Spanish bluebells?

Native bluebells are protected by law. Spanish bluebells are not protected so you can dig them up!

Is picking snowdrops illegal?

According to the Theft Act of 1968 it is illegal to…

In general, the picking of wildflowers is not illegal, so long as you don't uproot the whole plant, do so with intention to sell them for profit or accidentally pick a plant found on the list of endangered species.

Is it illegal to pick cow parsley?

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.

Can I dig up wild snowdrops?

Follow this simple guide of how and when to plant snowdrops and get planting - it is such an easy way of establishing such a pretty carpet of flowers. Remember that it is illegal to dig up snowdrops in the wild!

What are white bluebells called?

Hyacinthoides 'White City' bulbs ('White Bluebells') — Buy online at Farmer Gracy UK.

How long do bluebells last?

Depending on the weather, the bluebell season can last a couple of weeks, generally appearing first in the south of Britain, where it tends to be warmer before sweeping across the country to finish the season in Scotland and the north.

What to do with forget me nots after flowering?

Lift clumps of forget-me-not once the display wanes, and before too many seeds are released. They can become invasive if left unchecked. Stake tall perennials to prevent wind damage to flower spikes.