Plant ID please

davidslynch

Dear Gardeners,

I would be most grateful if anyone can take a guess at what these plants are.  Lots of them have been springing up toward the back of my garden in recent weeks.  Mainly on the plot that I grew vegetables on last year (peas, courgettes, corn).

I thought they might be some kind of spring bulb but I really don't remember planting any here (unless my memory is badly failing).

Many thanks!
D

Pete.8

I'd guess bluebells

Theveggardener

I agree with Pete. Just popped into the garden and they look the same as the one's in my garden but I have a feeling mine are not the English one's but I could be wrong. Not sure what the difference is though.

AnniD

Look like bluebells, the only other thing I can think of is Snowflakes (as opposed to snowdrops). Proper name is Leucojum l think.

purplerallim

The difference is where the bells form. The Spanish have bells all around the stem are upright with flaring trumpets, the English ones have bells on one side making them droop and the trumpets curl . The leaves are a different size, but unless you have both I dont think that helps in identifying them. Hope this helps @Dee73. 🙂

Theveggardener

purplerallim Many thanks for that. I wait till they flower then see which one it is now that I know what to look for.

JennyJ

They also hybridize if there a both kinds nearby, so the difference isn't always clear-cut.

Keep them if you like them (but bear in mind that the Spanish ones spread like fury - I've been digging them out for years but will probably never completely get rid of them)

Theveggardener

JennyJ I think I must have the Spanish one going by the growth this year. From a few last year to this years showing. I dug these up last year from the front garden as I wanted a few in the back garden. Loads in the front which will need clearing plus these.

JennyJ

It's probably not a bad idea to keep them in a pot if you like them - just deadheading before they set seed to worry about, not the invasive spreading bulbs.