Bluebell woods near me and bluebell photoshoots!
Bluebell woods are one of THE most popular locations for photo shoots! Spring photo sessions are just such a joy to create for families, kids & dogs. Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands are blessed with many bluebell woods and they make for a great day out! I’ve been photographing children, dogs and families in the bluebells for over a decade now and are one of the greatest joys of spring. I’ve also learnt a lot about bluebells in that time and thought I would share some of the knowledge with you.
If your interested in booking a Bluebell Photo Shoot click this link and it will take you to a very special offer https://www.clbphotography.co.uk/bluebells-special-offer
Dogs are family too and are always included in my family photo sessions in the bluebell woods.
Are Bluebells out yet? When do Bluebells grow?
Bluebells in woods near Leamington, Warwick & Coventry tend to flower in April and May. The spring flowers usually last for around 4-6 weeks and are heralded by wood anemones. So if you see these lovely white flowers out you know that the bluebells are not far behind. They often mix together and make a great setting for woodland photoshoots. Their timing is of course dependent on what the weather in Warwickshire is getting up to!
Are bluebells a protected species? Are they endangered?
YES! Legislation was brought in to protect these beautiful flowers in 1981 under the Wildlife & Countryside Act. Thanks to habitat destruction and because of unscrupulous people digging up the flowers to sell them on. Combined with people picking the flowers which means they cannot set seed steps have had to be taken to protect these flowers for everyone’s benefit.
Do Bluebells Smell?
Apparently bluebells do have a sweet delicate scent a little bit like honey but in all the years I’ve been photographing bluebells I have to say I’ve never noticed it. Will be sure to ask the kids on this years bluebell photoshoots if they can smell them. The woods do though have a beautiful earthy smell!
Do bluebells turn white?
Yes you can indeed get white bluebells, you can also get pink ones. These can be can be albino blubells or hybrid mixes with the Spanish Bluebell.
How do you tell the difference between Spanish and English Bluebells?
How do you tell the difference between Spanish and English Blubells?
It’s not easy to tell the difference unless you have the two next to each other. The English Bluebell is more delicate, smaller and has narrower leaves and gives off a sweet scent. The Spanish Bluebell is a more robust flower, slightly taller and has broader leaves.
Spanish bluebells were originally brought into the U.K. In the 1600’s, because they spread from private gardens into the wild and have the ability to crossbreed with our native English Bluebells we need to protect them. They do look very similar until you put them next to each other. The English Bluebell is more delicate, has thinner leaves and just one flower head per bulb. The Spanish Bluebell is taller and has wider leaves and takes 3 years to grow to its full size. In comparison the English Bluebell takes 5 years to flower. Interestingly the Spanish Bluebell has no scent.
How do Bluebells, seed, spread, multiply & reproduce?
Bluebells spread in two ways, by seed dispersal and also by the bulbs dividing. Woodland critters do this for the bulbs and birds and insects help with seed dispersal.
In 2015 England voted the Bluebell as their favorite windflower.
What are Bluebells used for?
Medieval archers used the root sap from bluebells as glue for “fletching” the feathers to their arrows
Ancient woodland is the Bluebells ideal place to grow and they are often used as an indicator of ancient woodland. Before the 1600’s woodlands were not planted they simply occurred naturally. Mature trees leave enough space between them so allowing the swaths of colour that the bluebells create when they carpet the woodland floor.
The Victorians listed the Bluebell as being the flower that symbolises ever lasting love.
Bluebell woods near me in Coventry, Warwickshire & the West Midlands
These include Crackley Woods in Kenilworth which is situated next to the Greenway. Ryton Woods is lovely and because its near Coventry is easily accessible by road. Packwood House near Lapworth in Warwickshire is owned by the National Trust, because of this it makes a very full day out! Coughton Court which is on the Studley to Alcester road and is easy to find. Snitterfield Bushes- a nature reserve near Startford Upon Avon and Tock Wood on Gibbett Hill Road near Warwick University in Coventry are just wonderful. Wappenbury Wood in Princethorpe near Rugby is also beautiful and that names just a few of the many Bluebell woods near me! Ill do another blog with more details about these locations and maybe some more!
How to get the best of your Bluebell photos!
Kids : Clothes for a photoshoot just need to have a bit of thought, thinking carefully about what to put your children in. I love to combine whites and blues and yellow can also work well. Pretty dresses, dongarees and wellies, shorts and shirts all work well. I find simplicity will always serve you well. So by keeping the colour pallet fairly natural we can concentrate on your children’s faces.
Dogs : no clothes required! Leads can be photoshopped out and so can collars and tags if you prefer the more natural look!
If your interested in booking a Bluebell Photo Shoot click this link and it will take you to a very special offer https://www.clbphotography.co.uk/bluebells-special-offer