Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Rose Queen'
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Common Name: Spanish bluebell
Type: Bulb
Family: Hyacinthaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Description: Rose pink
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Dense Shade, Black Walnuts
Uses: Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates shady conditions. Perhaps best in sun-dappled part shade. Plant bulbs about 3-4” deep and 4-6” apart in the fall. Naturalizes well by both bulb offsets and self-seeding in optimum growing conditions. ‘Rose Queen’ may not come true from seed, so spent flower spikes should be promptly removed to prevent self-seeding unless slight variations in flower color are not a critical issue. Plants go dormant by early summer.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Hyacinthoides hispanica, commonly called Spanish bluebell or wood hyacinth, is a bulbous perennial that is native to Spain, Portugal and northwest Africa. Each bulb produces a clump of 2-6 strap-shaped leaves. Bell-shaped, bluish lavender flowers in upright terminal racemes bloom in spring atop rigid stems rising to as much as 18” tall. Each raceme contains from 12-15 hanging, bell-shaped flowers. ‘Rose Queen’ is a popular cultivar that features clear rose pink flowers. Flowers bloom in mid-spring at the time of the late tulips (April-early May in St. Louis). Genus name means resembling hyacinth. Specific epithet is in reference to the native range. Species plants are synonymous with and formerly known as Scilla campanulata, Scilla hispanica and Endymion hyspanicus.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Leaves can become rather unsightly before they disappear.

Garden Uses

Provides color and contrast to the woodland garden, border front, rock garden or wild/naturalized area. Particularly effective when naturalized in large drifts under deciduous trees or at the margins of shade/woodland gardens. May be grown in pots/containers, alone or in combination with other spring flowering bulbs.

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