Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) Ashridge Estate, UK

Less than an hour’s drive, Northwest of London you will find the Ashridge Estate, which is now owned by the UK National Trust. The Ashridge Estate is a 5000-acre property and is one of the best places in the world to see living carpets of the Common Bluebell. According to the National Trust property manager, Graeme Cannon, the UK has between 25 to 50 percent of the world’s population of Bluebells. The first shoots of the Bluebells appear in January, and the flowers bloom for a very short period from April to May. Unfortunately, the Native Bluebell is now being threatened by not only people but also the Spanish Bluebell, which produces little to no scent compared to the Common Bluebell.