Throughout Spring and Summer a range of bluebells have been flowering on the property. Some are large and beautifully coloured, while others appear smaller. Some seem to have six lobes, while most have five.  I admit to having a bit of difficulty in identifying these through a lack of clear field guide photographs against which to compare the ones I’ve taken.  Often, tiny differences in the appearance of the stamen and middle of the flower confuse the issue for me.

However, I am pretty certain that this Bluebell is the Branching Bluebell, otherwise known as Tadgell’s Bluebell.

The Branching Bluebell  is the smaller of the Bluebells we have here, but I can find it in many of the micro-climates on our land. This includes the meadow-like grass along a fence, in among the bracken and wooded areas, as well as the more dry patches of sand. It seems well adapted and relatively hardy.

Can you identify the bluebells below?

I’ve been able to establish that Tall Bluebells, Tufted Bluebells and perhaps the Royal Bluebell can be found in our area.  I think we have at least two of these, but I’m not clear on how to distinguish each species from the other.  It would be fantastic if you can  help me to work out which species I’ve photographed:

Bluebell 1

This flower is large and showy. It is probably the Tall Bluebell, but I’m not 100% sure.

Bluebell 2

The tufted stamen seems to point to this being a Tufted Bluebell, but if so, the colour of the centre of the bloom may be important.  This one has a white centre, while Bluebell 3 has a  mauve centre.  Are they the same species?

Bluebell 3

A mauve centre with tufted stamen.

Bluebell 4

With six lobes, I’m not even sure if this is a bluebell, but if not, I can’t work out what else it might be.

All help in identifying these flowers is gratefully received. I would love to know what they are.