Bluebell Survey 2008

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Natural History Museum Bluebell Survey in 2008, which was again run in association with Plantlife and the Ramblers Association.

Bluebells at Ranscombe Farm Reserve in Kent
© Bob Gibbons/Plantlife

Spring 2008 saw Plantlife join forces with the Natural History Museum and the Ramblers' Association for the second year to encourage the public to take part in a survey of Britain’s bluebells. The survey was to record the different types of bluebells across the country. There are three kinds of bluebell thought to be found in the UK: the native Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, the Spanish Bluebell, Hyacinthoides hispanica, and what appears to be a hybrid between the two, Hyacinthoides x massartiana.

The Natural History Museum has been carrying out research into the genetics of the different varieties of bluebell over the last few years and as a result has developed a new identification key for use in the survey. Results were submitted online by participants to the Natural History Museum website and should be available via the Natural History Museum soon. If you’d like to find out more, please follow this link to the Natural History Museum Bluebell Survey page.

Native Bluebell flowers © Joe Sutton/Plantlife

Voted Britain’s most popular wild flower in a Plantlife poll, the UK is the international stronghold for the native Bluebell; we have between 25% and 50% of the world's population and a global responsibility to protect it.

Plantlife is playing a leading role in the conservation of the native Bluebell.

In 2003, thousands of volunteers took part in Plantlife's Bluebells for Britain Survey, and the results were published in 2004. You can download a PDF of the Bluebells for Britain survey report here.

The 2008 Bluebell Survey led by the Natural History Museum aimed to collect the evidence needed to reveal the exact nature and distribution of the bluebell species - this information will support the Museum’s scientific research investigating the threat posed by hybridisation.

Download Plantlife’s Bluebells of Britain leaflet to find out how you can identify the different types or, send a S.A.E. to Plantlife Bluebell Leaflet, 14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, SP1 1DX to receive your free copy.