BLUEBELLS are at their best at this time of year, providing stunning bursts of calming blue hues in woodlands all over the country.

The wild bluebell, Hyacinthoides nonscripta, with its scented sapphire bells on slender stems, will create a naturalistic effect in any garden with dappled shade provided by trees or large shrubs. The bulbs should be planted in autumn 4-6cm deep in informal clumps of 20 or more, leaving 3-4cm between the bulbs. If you want them in grass, lift patches of turf and plant them as you would do with narcissi.

The Spanish bluebell, Hyacinthoides hispanica, is larger than its English relative, with individual bells bigger and more open, and spreads prolifically.